EU Urged to Adopt Bold Strategy to Address Human Rights Crisis in Sahel Region
The Sahel region, spanning across several countries in West Africa, is grappling with a severe human rights crisis. In a recent appeal, Human Rights Watch has called on the European Union (EU) to adopt a bold and unified strategy to address the escalating violence, repression, and humanitarian law violations in the region. The EU’s current approach, which has been in place since 2021, has been deemed outdated and ineffective in the face of growing instability and human suffering.
The situation in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger is particularly dire. In Burkina Faso, over 5,600 civilians have been killed and 2.3 million displaced since September 2022, with security forces accused of mass killings and abuses. In Mali, attacks by Islamist armed groups and counterterrorism operations have led to the displacement of over 700,000 people, while authorities have cracked down on media, opposition, and dissent. Niger, meanwhile, has seen a surge in repression since a military coup in July 2023, with former President Mohamed Bazoum and his wife arbitrarily detained.
The EU’s lack of a clear and unified strategy has limited its ability to effectively respond to the crisis. Human Rights Watch is urging the EU to prioritize the protection of civilians, prevention of human rights violations, and promotion of justice and accountability. This includes supporting independent oversight mechanisms, denouncing grave violations, and conditioning security cooperation on the adoption of human rights safeguards.
The appointment of João Cravinho as EU Special Representative for the Sahel region and the request by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to "work on a renewed approach to the Sahel region" are seen as positive steps. However, Human Rights Watch emphasizes that a strong and full-fledged strategy is needed to address the scale and gravity of human rights violations in the region.
As the Sahel region continues to deteriorate, the EU’s response will be crucial in shaping the future of the region. With millions of lives at stake, it is imperative that the EU adopts a bold and effective strategy to address the human rights crisis and promote peace, stability, and justice in the Sahel. The international community is watching, and the EU’s actions will have far-reaching consequences for the people of the Sahel and the world at large.
