he graves were found buried at Diago, a town which is about 20km north of the capital Bamako and many believe the bodies were probably those of soldiers loyal to the former president Amadou Toumani Toure who was toppled by General Sanogo.
The general Amadou Sanogo was arrested and charged with murders and assassinations last Wednesday and he is in custody pending further investigations.
At least 23 soldiers loyal to the ousted president – known as red berets – disappeared in the month following the coup.
The Malian Justice Ministry told reporters that the bodies have been exhumed and DNA tests will be carried out to determine their real identities.
“We have found 21 bodies, probably of red beret soldiers, in a mass grave in Diago. The bodies were exhumed and investigations are underway’’, the ministry said.
General Sanogo, who was a middle-ranking officer when he led the coup, ignored series of summons issued in October by a judge to answer questions about events surrounding the coup and the soldiers who disappeared. But he was arrested by force by the security forces and sent to investigators.
Amnesty International has urged the authorities to speed up investigations to unravel the mysteries behind the death of the soldiers.
Gaëtan Mootoo, Mali researcher at Amnesty International said the families of those disappeared want justice and authorities should bring those responsible for their death before the law.
“Ever since the soldiers were abducted from the Kati Military Camp, their loved ones have been desperate to know what has happened to them, authorities must now do everything in their power to give the families the full truth,” he said.
Mali’s newly elected President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita is battling to assert state control over the army, accused by human rights groups of excessive violence, torture and enforced disappearances.
Another challenge he faces is restoring state authority in the lawless north, which was occupied by separatists and Islamist militants until a French-led intervention in January drove them away.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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