Archive · 14 Dec 2025
Mali Conflict: Sexual Assaults Hidden by Silence
A 14-year-old girl was raped by Russian fighters in Mali and left untreated for days, nearly dying from an infection.
Her family fled to Mauritania, where she received medical help.
Many women in Mali are sexually assaulted by different armed groups, but they often stay silent due to shame and fear.
This silence makes it hard to help victims and punish the people who hurt them.
Aid workers are worried about the many cases that go unreported.
The Russian government has not responded to these claims, and other armed groups like JNIM are also accused of similar crimes.
A 14-year-old girl was raped by Russian fighters in Mali and left untreated, nearly dying from an infection.
Her family fled to Mauritania, where she received medical help at an MSF clinic.
Many women in Mali are sexually assaulted by different armed groups, but they often stay silent due to shame and fear.
The silence surrounding these assaults makes it difficult to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Aid workers are concerned about the many unreported cases of sexual violence in the region.
- Who
- A 14-year-old girl and other women and children fleeing Mali's conflict
- What
- Sexual assaults by Russian fighters (Africa Corps) and other armed groups
- When
- Recent incidents, with one case occurring two weeks prior to the report
- Where
- Mali and neighboring Mauritania
- Why
- The silence and shame surrounding sexual assaults in conservative, patriarchal societies make it difficult for victims to seek help, and efforts to hold perpetrators accountable are hindered.
- Victim Age
- 14-year-old girl
- Assailants
- Russian fighters (Africa Corps)
- Location of Incident
- Mali
- Time Since Incident
- Two weeks prior
- Current Location
- Mauritania
- Treatment Facility
- MSF clinic
- Number of Reported Cases
- Five (including the 14-year-old)
- Other Armed Groups Involved
- JNIM (al-Qaida-affiliated)