Dear Representative Taka/Vice President,
We write to call on the European Union to adopt a bold political strategy on its involvement in the Sahel, reflecting and preventing the commitment to addressing and preventing violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in all countries in the region.
Since the April 2021 “Integrated Strategy in the Sahel” became largely outdated after the central Sahel military coup, the EU has lacked a very important unified voice on the situation in the region. With no clear common strategies and several EU member states having bilateral initiatives, the EU has lost its relevance and missed many opportunities to actively contribute to the well-being and protection of civilians in the region. This is even more concerning as civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict, violence and oppression.
Although EU engagement in Sahel covers many countries, Sahel’s new approach should try to address the most awful human rights situation recorded in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
In Burkina Faso, civilians are facing a surge in fatal attacks of abuse by military and government militias known as Volantea Defence de la Patrie (VDPS) pouring Volantene de la Patrie (VDPS) during a thwarting rebellion operation. The massive ethnic-based killing of civilians by security forces is part of a widespread military campaign against civilians considered to support Muslim armed groups, and could represent a crime against humanity. Approximately 5,600 civilians have been killed since current military authorities came to power in September 2022, according to Acled, an organization tracking conflict events around the world. Over 2.3 million people, or 10% of the population, have been displaced by conflict. The military junta cracked down on media, political opposition and opposition. Most recently, they cracked down on exile journalists and activists by putting them on terrorist lists, stripping journalists and government critics on political basis to the military, and helping to dramatically reduce the civic space.
In Mali, attacks on civilians by armed Muslim groups continued and abusive counterterrorism operations by foreign fighter jets associated with Mali’s military. The clashes between the military and the Tuareg ethnic group came after a peace agreement between the two parties that ended in January 2024. Authorities have cracked down on media and political opposition, forcibly eradicating political figures and whistleblowers, arresting journalists and political opponents, exiling scores, narrowing the space for citizens. In April 2025, the Ministers’ Council effectively banned all political parties.
In Niger, military authorities have cracked down on the media, peaceful and political opposition since taking power in a coup in July 2023. Former President Mohamed Bazoom and his wife remain voluntarily detained despite the release of around 50 people after the arrest of about 50 people in April after the July 2023 coup. Others are still struggling behind the bar over politically motivated accusations. A prominent human rights activist and critic of the military junta Mussatyangari, who was voluntarily arrested in December 2024, is also being detained on terrorist charges. Civilians will continue to be affected by fighting between Muslim armed groups in the Timori region and government forces.
With the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger from the Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS), which will be effective from January 2025, it will limit the opportunity for citizens to seek justice against human rights violations through the ECOWAS courts.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the demand that President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen “attends an updated approach to the Sahel region” in a mission letter to Kaja Karas, the senior representative for foreign and security policy, and the recent appointment of Joa Kravinho as the EU special representative for the Sahel region. The need for a clear and ambitious purpose for the EU’s involvement in this region is more pressing than ever, given the gravity and scale of the human rights abuses committed with full immunity.
We believe a strong and full-scale strategy for the Sahel can strengthen EU engagement and positive impact. Such strategies should explicitly prioritize the protection of at-risk civilians, prevent violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, and promote justice and accountability.
To that end, we encourage you to secure a future EU approach or strategy regarding the Sahel.
It reiterates the obligations of all parties to protect civilians during armed conflict and counter-terrorism operations. It supports measures to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law, prevent violations, and supports fundamental rights, justice and accountability. Publicly condemns serious violations and abuses committed by all aspects, including those by national security forces, government militias, foreign fighters, and non-state armed groups. Supports independent surveillance and accountability mechanisms to ensure compliance by security forces with international human rights and humanitarian law in counterterrorism operations. We support all parties seeking thorough and impartial investigation into serious violations, particularly in the case of the most symbolic violations. Conditions Resuming safety cooperation with local military forces in regards to the adoption and implementation of true human rights protections. Includes measures to ensure respect for international human rights and humanitarian law in security activities, appropriate review of the military, and the availability of judicial and nonjudicial (administrative) relief. It urges authorities to increase the support and protection of independent civil society groups, human rights advocates, independent media, research institutions, and other stakeholders working on human rights instruments of abuse, protection and accountability, and to stop suppressing human rights advocates, journalists, opposition and critics. Wherever possible, we will prioritize the provision of public services, including areas of health, psychological support, education, women’s rights and judicial response to abuse, and will support unhindered humanitarian assistance to civilians affected by conflict and displacement. We will work with other international and regional stakeholders, including the United Nations, the African Union and the economic community of West African States (ECOWAS) to leverage influence to address human rights concerns. We will support international and regional human rights and accountability mechanisms, including UN independence experts, support International Criminal Court cases regarding the situation in Mali, and call major AU or UN envoys or replies, including the AU Special Festival on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Popular Atrocities, and special Laportea on the Promotion of Human Rights and the Promotion of Fandom Fundan Frontum. It also supports initiatives to set additional mechanisms in other serious human rights situations, including Burkina Faso. Sign up for the AllAfrica newsletter for free
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From the heart,
Philip Dam, EU Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
Mausi Segun, Africa Division, Director of Human Rights Watch
