Nouakchott: A harrowing case of sexual violence has emerged from the conflict in Mali, where a 14-year-old girl arrived at a refugee clinic in critical condition, suffering from an untreated infection following an alleged rape. Her family claims the assault was perpetrated by Russian fighters from Africa Corps, a military unit under Russia’s defense ministry, which replaced the Wagner mercenary group six months ago. Aid workers are highlighting this incident as a grim example of the hidden epidemic of sexual violence in Mali’s ongoing conflict.
According to France24.com, the girl’s condition was dire when she reached the clinic, with medical workers racing to stabilize her as she lay in a makeshift health clinic, barely conscious and suffering from fevered sweats. Bethsabee Djoman Elidje, the women’s health manager at the clinic, described the urgency of the situation, noting the girl had been in shock for days following the sexual assault.
The family recounted that the Russian fighters had stormed their te
nt, forcing them outside and executing the girl’s uncle before two men took her inside and raped her. The incident is not isolated-interviews with refugees at the border revealed multiple accounts of sexual violence by Africa Corps fighters, commonly referred to as “the white men” by locals. Additionally, militants from the al-Qaida affiliated JNIM have also been implicated in similar assaults, as reported by a women’s health clinic in the Mopti area.
The silence surrounding these crimes is pervasive, driven by fear and the cultural stigma attached to sexual violence. Mirjam Molenaar from Doctors Without Borders noted how different the situation is compared to eastern Congo, where survivors actively seek help. In Mali, the shame and fear of retaliation keep many victims from coming forward.
The 14-year-old’s ordeal did not end with the assault. Her family faced further threats from JNIM militants, forcing them to flee to Mauritania. During the journey, her condition worsened, and upon arrival, she collapsed
, prompting intervention from aid workers who took her to a clinic run by MSF.
The family’s story is echoed by other refugees who have fled similar violence. Women recount attacks by armed white men who destroyed their homes and attempted to rape them. Despite the trauma, speaking out remains fraught with fear.
Efforts to address and report such violence are hampered by the expulsion of the UN peacekeeping mission from Mali, following a 2023 UN report that documented mass rapes in Moura village involving Russian fighters. This has left a void in gathering accurate data on conflict-related sexual violence.
As aid workers and organizations like MSF continue to provide support, they emphasize the critical need for more survivors to come forward to receive care and counseling. The 14-year-old is now receiving psychiatric help, but concerns remain for countless others who remain silent amid ongoing violence.
