The ongoing siege of Bamako is having unacceptable consequences for civilians’ freedom of movement and may lead to serious violations of their rights to food security, health and life, Amnesty International said today, as it called on the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) armed group to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of civilians.
Three main roads leading to Bamako have been blocked since 28 April, after GSIM, a non-state armed group affiliated with al-Qaeda, announced a siege of the Malian capital. On 6 May, GSIM attacked a convoy of trucks carrying cargo belonging to civilian companies, including fruit, between Bamako and Bougouni. These trucks were not under military escort and were not carrying military personnel or equipment, according to information gathered by Amnesty International.
“Attacks on civilian vehicles with a civilian purpose are unlawful. Under international humanitarian law, all parties to an armed conflict must always make a distinction between civilians and combatants. Attacks directed against civilians or civilian objects, including vehicles and infrastructure indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, are prohibited” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.
