Sobane Da massacre

On 10 June 2019, the Dogon village of Sobane Da in Mali was attacked. Moulaye Guindo, mayor of neighbouring Bankass, blamed a Fulani militia group. The attack killed 35 people, revised from an earlier claim of 95 killed with 19 missing. A survivor said the attackers numbered about 50, driving motorbikes and pickup trucks.[1][2][3] The government of Mali has suspected that terrorists have committed the attack.[4]

Sobane Da massacre
Part of the Northern Mali conflict
Mopti is located in Mali
Mopti
Mopti
Mopti (Mali)
LocationSobane Da, Mopti Region, Mali
DateJune 10, 2019 (2019-06-10)
Deaths35 confirmed dead[1]

Background

The Fulanis who are traditionally herders and the Dogon who are traditionally farmers have had a historic dispute over grazing land and water which has been exacerbated by the spread of jihadism in Mali. The Dogon have accused the Fulani of supporting Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups operating in Mali, while the Fulani have accused the state of sponsoring the Dogons to attack them.[5] MINUSMA had recorded 488 Fulani deaths in attacks by Dogon, and 63 Dogon deaths from Fulani attacks during the period from January 2018 to 16 May 2019 in the Mopti and Ségou Regions. The deadliest was the Ogossagou massacre.[6] The Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and Amadou Koufa had promised retaliation by Fulanis.[7]

Attack

The attack on Sobane-Da began on 9 June and continued for seven hours. The perpetrators came on motorbikes and besieged the village, killing people and burning homes. The head of the village, Gouno Dara, has said that the attackers shot everyone they encountered and were repeatedly shouting "Allahu Akbar". Dara adds that they burnt buildings and stole domestic animals before retreating. A security source said that the village had been practically razed. Malian researcher, Ousmane Diallo, has commented that the attack bears the hallmarks of jihadists.[8]

Earlier the government had given a provisional death toll of 95 based on claims by some soldiers and the mayor of the district, Ali Dolo.[9] Doubts however started appearing on this figure and a count carried out by the civil protection force, forensics team and Mopti's public prosecutor confirmed the toll to be 35, the confusion being partly due to around 100 women being able to escape the village, according to a released government statement.[1]

Arrests

Six suspects were arrested, including 2 arrested by MINUSMA, following routine checks.[10]

Aftermath

One week after the attack, 41 people were killed in two more Dogon villages.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Massacre toll in Mali revised down to 35". Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  2. "Attack on Mali village 'kills 100'". 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  3. "At least 95 killed in attack on ethnic Dogon village in central Mali". France 24. 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
  4. "More than 100 villagers safe despite Mali attack". BBC. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  5. "U.N. Says At Least 95 People Killed In Attack On Mali Village". NPR. 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  6. "95 killed in attack on central Mali village". Gulf News. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  7. "Mali left reeling after village killings underscore security woes". AL Jazeera. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  8. "'We have nothing left': Mali massacre survivors recount ordeal". SBS AU. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2019-06-11.
  9. "Locals at odds with Mali Government over village attack death toll". 12 June 2019.
  10. "Six arrested over Mali massacre". APA news. 2019-06-13. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  11. "A new round of violence in Mali". The Economist. 3 July 2019.

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