We need to better the security of Mali, or else the country and civilians are sure to collapse.  Mali is currently in a state of chaos, and is home to over 20 million people. 258 rights abuses were conducted by militias and armed groups during the first seven months of this year, which equal 88 per cent of the total number of reported incidents in all of 2020. Between 1 April and 30 June, the UN Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), documented at least 43 extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions committed by the Malian Defense and Security Forces.  It is disturbing that civilian populations are suffering violence from the Malian defense and security forces that are supposed to protect them.

   Abductions are also up dramatically, with 435 documented in just the first six months of this year – five times as many as in all of 2019. While the perpetrators are primarily community-based armed groups and militias in central Mali, abductions have also been carried out by other armed groups.   Gang rapes and other violence against women is also surging, as are attacks on so-called slaves.

     Some Malians expressed serious doubts about the political will of the authorities to guarantee the security of civilians, especially in the regions most affected by conflict. We need to change this, for the sake of these impoverished people.