Thousands suffer abuse in Mali’s worst crisis since independence

AN INTERNATIONAL human rights group said Mali is suffering its worst crisis since independence after a coup in the capital and a rebel takeover in the country’s north.

Amnesty International said all parties to the conflict in Mali’s north were responsible for abuses and that hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced by the fighting.

Among the abuses described are summary executions, arbitrary detentions and sexual assaults including rape. — Sapa-ap