Sahel military juntas crack down on human rights NGOs

Military regimes in the Sahel, including Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, are increasingly targeting human rights organizations, accusing them of undermining national security, Deutsche Welle reports. NGOs like Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have documented widespread political repression, arbitrary arrests, and human rights abuses, drawing the ire of junta leaders.

In Niger, over 200 organizations have been suspended since the July 2023 coup, with NGOs working cautiously through local informants. The arrest of activist Moussa Tiangari as well as the detention of opposition figures highlight growing repression. In Mali, critics like Oumar Mariko face exile, while Burkina Faso’s junta forces opponents, including elderly figures like Ablasse Ouedraogo, into military service.

Despite junta claims of prioritizing national security, critics argue these actions suppress free speech and dissent. With limited local oversight, international NGOs remain vital in documenting abuses and advocating for human rights across the increasingly authoritarian Sahel region.