Warning: This story contains descriptions of torture and physical violence. Some readers may find it distressing.
A shopkeeper, identified as Ahmed, recounted how Russian mercenaries carried out the cold-blooded murder of two men in front of him and threatened his life. This is one of several testimonies collected by the BBC detailing the brutal methods used by the Russian fighters against Islamist militants in Mali and widely condemned by human rights organizations.
Following a military coup in 2021, Mali's junta turned to Russian support, hiring the Wagner Group to assist in quelling jihadist insurgencies. Reports indicate that Wagner has since withdrawn, leaving operations to Africa Corps, linked to Russia's defense ministry.
Ahmed, fearing for his safety, fled to a refugee camp in Mauritania. He described horrific torture at the hands of Wagner fighters, detailing the extreme measures they employed to extract information about his boss, whom they wrongfully accused of collusion with jihadists.
These mercenaries reportedly engaged in mass torture and murder, documenting their atrocities through graphic images shared in private online groups until they were taken offline. Witness accounts highlight the chilling atmosphere of fear and violence pervasive in regions where these mercenaries operated, with communities now reeling from both physical and emotional trauma.
The situation in Mali has led almost 50,000 individuals to seek refuge outside its borders, with many receiving help at camps like M'berra in Mauritania. Survivors, including Ahmed and others, express deep trauma from their experiences and a desire for justice against the perpetrators of these crimes.
