A senior United Nations adviser has warned of the risk of reprisal attacks against Mali’s Tuareg and Arab populations, as conflict in the country continues to rumble on.

The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Adama Dieng called on Mali’s military to ensure all populations were being protected, stating,

“While the liberation of towns once under the control of the rebel and extremist groups has brought hope to the populations of northern Mali, I am deeply concerned at the risk of reprisal attacks against ethnic Tuareg and Arab civilians,”

“I am deeply disturbed by reports of violations committed by the army, and by reports that the armed forces have been recruiting and arming proxy militia groups to instigate attacks against particular ethnic and national groups in northern Mali,”

“I call on the Malian army to discharge its responsibility to protect all populations, irrespective of their race or ethnicity.”

His statement comes as reports emerged of both sides of the conflict engaging in human rights abuses.

Corinne Dufka, a senior researcher with Human Rights Watch, noted,

"Given its history and this high level of ethnic tension, we're really concerned that as local populations who suffered tremendously under the NMLA and the Islamists return to their towns and villages in the north that the incidents of reprisals could dramatically increase".