Mali’s Prime Minister Chogel Maiga has dismissed a UN report that military and foreign forces killed at least 500 civilians in the central village of Moura last March.
Maiga said the report was aimed at damaging the reputation of the security forces, state TV ORTM reported on Monday.
He said no one would doubt the Malian army and its growing strength in recent months. Mali now condemns manipulation by the “French junta” and has ordered an “espionage” investigation into the United Nations.
Meanwhile, Mali’s Higher Communications Authority (HAC) has accused French television station TV5 over the African editor’s comments on the UN report, private website Abamaco reported.
The media regulator said Ousmane Ndiay’s analysis was a “malicious accusation” against Mali, the Malian army, and the authorities.
In March 2022, Mali’s military government suspended France 24 and RFI for reporting alleged abuses by the country’s military and Russian mercenaries.
Earlier this month, Malian authorities announced a long-delayed referendum on a draft constitution in June. The new constitution is one of the most important steps to restore civilian rule after the ouster of President Ibrahim Boubakar Keita in 2020.
