The Malian armed forces have initiated an investigation into a shocking video that has sparked outrage and concern across social media platforms. The footage, which has since been removed from X (formerly Twitter) for violating platform rules, depicted a man in Malian military uniform engaging in deeply disturbing behavior with a corpse.
The video, which the army chief described as a “rare atrocity,” showed the uniformed individual cutting into a dead body while surrounded by laughing peers. Speaking in the local Bambara language, the man allegedly expressed intentions to consume the victim’s liver, according to media reports.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing accusations by rights groups and the United Nations regarding serious abuses committed by Malian soldiers against civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadist groups. The army has consistently denied such allegations.
Mali’s military faces significant challenges in containing jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, which have destabilized the region for over a decade. The security crisis has contributed to political instability, resulting in military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.
As authorities work to authenticate the video and identify the individuals involved, this incident underscores the complex security situation in Mali and raises questions about military conduct in the ongoing conflict against insurgent groups.