Malian authorities has denied the United Nations (UN) human rights investigators access to a village where hundreds of people were killed, the UN disclosed this while expressing its concern.
“We are extremely concerned that Malian authorities have still not granted UN human rights investigators access”, a statement by the UN Human Rights Office said.
At least 300 men are believed to have been summarily executed during a March 27-31 raid on Moura, a town infiltrated by Islamist militants, according to a Human Rights Watch report. However, unconfirmed sources had suggested the death toll could be as high as 500, mostly civilians.
Soldiers also reportedly raped, looted and arbitrarily detained a number of Moura’s inhabitants.
“Time is of essence to ensure accountability and prompt, effective justice for victims”, noting that it first sought access to the site of the killings on 1 April, UN said.
Survivors said white mercenaries suspected to be Russians took part in the massacre. This prompted the U.N. to open an investigation.
Mali has denied the allegations saying the allegation of a massacre is an attempt to tarnish its image.
The Mali junta denies that mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group are helping it fight the insurgents.
