ICC convicts al-Qaeda-affiliated leader of war crimes in Mali

This update covers the International Criminal Court (ICC) conviction of the al-Qaida-linked war crimes leader in Mali and an arrest warrant for Iyad Ag Ghaly.

The armed conflict in Mali has been ongoing since 2012 and has resulted in numerous well-documented violations of international humanitarian law by various parties, including conflict-related sexual violence and direct attacks on civilians. The Sahel Regional Diakonia Centre for International Humanitarian Law aims to increase compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights standards among key stakeholders through tailored, high-quality training, legal analysis and advisory services to the humanitarian community. In addition, the Sahel Regional Diakonia Centre for International Humanitarian Law provides regular updates on legal aspects of accountability processes before competent courts.

On June 26, 2024, Al Hassan Mahmoud was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly against women, during the Islamist militants’ rule over Timbuktu in 2012.

In addition, on 21 June 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Iyad Ag Ghaly for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in northern Mali between January 2012 and January 2013.

On 26 June 2024, one of the former leaders of the Islamic Police of the Ançar Dine armed group, Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud, was found guilty by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of crimes against humanity, including torture, persecution and other inhumane acts, as well as war crimes, including torture, attacks on personal dignity, mutilation, cruel treatment and conviction without prior judgment by a regularly constituted court providing all legal guarantees generally recognized as indispensable. These crimes were committed between 2 April 2012 and 29 January 2013 in Timbuktu, northern Mali.

In addition, as part of its prosecution of perpetrators of crimes committed during the armed conflict in Mali, on 21 June 2024 the Court issued an arrest warrant against Iyad Ag Ghaly, leader of JNIM, a branch of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (“AQIM”), for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in northern Mali between January 2012 and January 2013.

This measure followed an explicit request made by the Malian government in 2013 to the International Criminal Court to investigate crimes committed on Malian territory. These prosecutions fall under the principle of subsidiarity and complementarity between the International Criminal Court and national jurisdictions.

The Sahel Regional International Humanitarian Law Centre welcomes these ICC decisions as a step forward towards justice for the victims of serious violations of international law in Mali. We continue our efforts to contribute to better compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights standards in Mali.