Published on :
Russia has blocked a Security Council request for independent investigations into the alleged Moura massacre in Mali. The request, drafted by France, had been submitted to the Security Council on Friday, but according to several diplomats, Moscow opposed it, supported by Beijing.
The proposed statement to the Security Council emphasized the ” deep concern “of its members” in the face of allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Mali » and demanded « thorough and independent investigations to establish the facts, find those responsible and bring them to justice ».
But Russia and China have vetoed it. According to diplomatic sources contacted by AFP, Moscow and Beijing judged ” premature » a text of which they « did not see the need “, since an investigation was opened by the authorities of Bamako.
Summary executions
According to a report by the NGO Human Rights Watch, 300 civilians from Moura victims of summary executions by Malian soldiers, associated with foreign fighters. The Bamako authorities, for their part, claim to have ” neutralized » 203 jihadists.
A Malian version questioned on Friday by the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, while Russian diplomacy congratulated Bamako for a ” important victory ” against the ” terrorism “, qualifying as” disinformation » Allegations of the massacre of civilians by Malian forces and the involvement of Russian mercenaries in the operation.