Since October 2025, over 13,000 Malians have crossed into southeastern Mauritania to escape the worsening conflict in central Mali, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Civilians are caught between the Malian army, Russian mercenaries from Africa Corps, and jihadist groups, forcing mass displacement and creating urgent humanitarian needs.
Mentou, a survivor, recalls the day his village of Boflusa was attacked in November 2025. Drones hovered over the marketplace before armed men set fire to stalls and opened fire on the crowd. “They shot at everyone,” he recounts. Today, he sits under an acacia in Dwinkara, on the Mauritanian border, hundreds of kilometers from home, one of tens of thousands who have fled the violence.
The attacks were carried out by Africa Corps, a Russian military unit that replaced the Wagner Group mercenaries previously supporting Malian forces against jihadist insurgents. Families like Mentou’s fled on foot due to the risk posed by drones targeting vehicles. The region of Hodh Ech Chargi now hosts the majority of these refugees, with Malians comprising 97% of the 309,000 refugees and asylum seekers in southeastern Mauritania. This represents a 75% increase from 2023.
Jihadist group Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), affiliated with Al Qaeda, enforces strict rules when controlling towns, including zakat payments, mandatory black veils, and bans on music. Civilians complying are spared attack. Yet, when Malian troops and Russian mercenaries enter, entire communities face indiscriminate violence. Human Rights Watch documents that both the Malian army and Africa Corps have been involved in unlawful executions of civilians and the destruction of civilian property during counterinsurgency operations.
Guedou and Tayab, two women who fled their villages, recount witnessing horrific acts. Armed men shot villagers attempting to escape, and decapitations occurred, including of children. Bodies were found along roads and near wells, some burned, leaving a lingering stench. Reports indicate that armed groups often destroy water sources, forcing residents to abandon their homes.
The conflict has intensified since September 2025, with JNIM attempting to paralyze Mali’s economy by blocking fuel supplies to Bamako and other towns such as Léré. These operations trigger military responses that further displace populations. Many refugees initially fled following the Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali in 2012 and subsequent jihadist infiltration, which eventually led to the formation of JNIM. The violence has spread across the Sahel, affecting neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. Military coups since 2020 accelerated the withdrawal of Western forces and facilitated alliances with Russian-linked military actors.
Most displaced individuals end up in Mbera refugee camp in southeastern Mauritania, approximately 60 kilometers from the border. The camp hosts around 120,000 people, but UNHCR notes a worrying trend: over 80% of newcomers are women and children, while adult men often remain in Mali to care for livestock. Children face heightened risks of trafficking, violence, or exploitation, and survivors of sexual violence often remain reluctant to speak openly due to social stigma.
Humanitarian challenges are severe. UNHCR and aid agencies have provided emergency assistance to roughly three-quarters of new arrivals, including cooking utensils, blankets, and shelter materials, yet resources remain insufficient. Desert nights bring extreme cold, and the limited number of tents forces aid workers to make difficult choices about which families can be sheltered.
Despite these hardships, refugees are trying to rebuild elements of daily life. Informal markets have emerged, and small businesses, such as tea and mobile credit sales, help maintain dignity. Many refugees have made the journey multiple times, returning home during brief lulls in violence, only to be forced to flee again when attacks resume.
The crisis in central Mali highlights the ongoing vulnerability of civilians caught between multiple armed factions and underscores the urgent need for continued humanitarian assistance and international attention to protect displaced populations in the Sahel.
