Survivors Share Harrowing Accounts of Sexual Violence in Mali

Reports are emerging from girls and women fleeing Mali about instances of severe sexual violence allegedly committed by Russian forces. In a makeshift health clinic in Mauritania, a 14-year-old girl lay in critical condition after suffering an infection related to a sexual assault. Her family reported that she was raped by members of the Africa Corps, a military unit linked to Russia’s defense ministry, which has replaced the now-defunct Wagner mercenary group.

Medical personnel worked urgently to save the girl’s life as she had been untreated for days following the assault. Bethsabee Djoman Elidje, the women’s health manager at the clinic, indicated that the girl had been in shock, emphasizing the dire consequences of delayed medical attention. The assault occurred two weeks prior when Russian fighters invaded the family’s tent, a harrowing experience that left the young girl traumatized.

The ongoing conflict in Mali, now in its tenth year, has seen widespread sexual violence, with reports of gang rapes and sexual slavery involving various combatants. The United Nations and aid organizations have documented these abuses, yet many victims remain silent due to societal stigma surrounding sexual violence. This silence not only complicates their access to medical care but also hinders accountability for the perpetrators.

During interviews with refugees on the border, the Associated Press learned of five alleged cases of sexual violence involving Africa Corps fighters, who are often referred to as “white men” by locals. According to a health clinic director in the Mopti region, 28 women have been treated for assaults attributed to militants from the al-Qaida affiliated group JNIM in the past six months.

The aunt of the 14-year-old girl shared a chilling account of the assault. Armed men forced the family outside at gunpoint, where they witnessed an execution before the girl was taken into the tent and raped. The family’s fear paralyzed them, rendering them unable to intervene. Following the attack, they fled their village, enduring a harrowing three-day journey to Mauritania. Upon arrival, the girl collapsed due to her deteriorating condition.

In Mauritania, a local family found the girl lying unconscious and took her to a free clinic run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Medical staff confirmed signs of sexual violence, highlighting the urgent need for services addressing these traumatic experiences. The clinic, which had only recently opened, had already seen three survivors of sexual violence, indicating a troubling trend.

Elidje noted that many women are reluctant to seek help, citing cultural taboos surrounding sexual violence. “It takes time and patience for these women to open up,” she explained. The challenges faced by survivors are compounded by the pervasive fear of social ostracism.

As the situation unfolds, thousands of new refugees from Mali, primarily women and children, have arrived in Mauritania. Many reside in makeshift shelters, with access to resources strained by the influx. Two women recently approached journalists to recount their harrowing experiences, revealing that armed men not only destroyed their homes but also attempted to assault them.

One woman detailed her narrow escape from an assault, while another spoke of the traumatic memories of seeing her daughter taken by armed men. These accounts illustrate the pervasive fear and trauma that linger among survivors, many of whom remain unwilling to engage with aid workers.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the allegations, while a state-controlled information agency dismissed the AP’s investigation as false. Nonetheless, reports of sexual violence attributed to Russian fighters have persisted, dating back to the time when the Wagner Group operated in the region.

A refugee recounted a brutal incident in March 2024, where multiple women were raped following the execution of men in their village. The United Nations reported at least 58 cases of sexual violence linked to an attack on the village of Moura, further complicating efforts to document such crimes as Mali’s government has expelled UN peacekeeping forces, making it challenging to gather accurate data on conflict-related sexual violence.

Among the survivors, the 14-year-old girl is slowly recovering and receiving psychiatric support, yet many others remain voiceless. Aid workers express concern for those who suffer in silence, highlighting a growing disregard for human life in the conflict.

The international community must address the crisis in Mali and ensure that survivors of sexual violence receive the support and justice they deserve. The ongoing plight of these women and girls underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to protect vulnerable populations in conflict zones.