In Ayourou, Niger, just before 7 o’clock on a Friday evening in early June, Kani and 10 others fleeing violence in northeastern Mali reached a checkpoint in Labbezanga near the Niger border. Armed men at the checkpoint, some in military fatigues, stopped the group who had started their journey on foot the previous day. The men and women were separated, with the girls being ordered into a small tent near the checkpoint where they were raped at gunpoint. Kani, a 17-year-old survivor, described the terrifying experience to Al Jazeera, expressing her fear of men with guns ever since the incident. Another survivor, Coumba, also 17, shared her account of the assault, explaining how they were beaten and sexually abused despite their pleas for mercy.
Both Kani and Coumba had fled from Ouattagouna in eastern Mali following attacks by armed groups. They now reside in Ayourou, a town where over 10,000 Malian refugees have sought shelter. The girls found work with a local legume farmer who offered them accommodation. However, they regret making the journey to Niger due to the horrors they faced along the way. They had previously endured sexual violence in Mali during an attack on their compound, where fighters raped multiple women at gunpoint.
The girls’ harrowing journey highlights the ongoing violence and instability in Mali, which has been plagued by conflict and attacks by armed groups. The situation has been further complicated by political turmoil, including a coup and the withdrawal of international peacekeeping forces. The absence of security forces has emboldened militants, leading to increased attacks on communities in the region. Despite the challenges they faced, Kani and Coumba managed to escape further harm and reach safety in Niger, where they now strive to rebuild their lives.