Sahel: at least 200 civilians victims of abuses between February and April according to Amnesty

In the central Sahel, at least nearly 200 civilians have been victims of abuses committed by the defense and security forces, according to an Amnesty International report released on Wednesday. AFP

Text by: Coralie Pierret

In the central Sahel, at least nearly 200 civilians have been victims of abuses committed by the defense and security forces, according to an Amnesty International report released on Wednesday. A report published a few days after another association, Tabital Pulaaku, accused the Malian army of abuses in central Mali. Abuses that are not confirmed by the Malian authorities.

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These are not the first executions or enforced disappearances recorded in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. According to Amnesty International, at least 199 people were victims of the defense and security forces between February and April 2020.

"  These figures are a downward estimate  ," said Ousmane Diallo, researcher at Amnesty. Since the Pau summit , the January meeting between the G5 Sahel and France, “  there is a desire to prove results. This is often manifested in violations committed by the defense and security forces,  ”continues the author of the report.

There is certainly political pressure from the armies of Mali, Niger and Burkina and this naturally results in a relaxation of their operating method, particularly with regard to respect for human law and international humanitarian law ...

Ousmane Diallo, researcher at Amnesty International

Coralie Pierret

A new document which echoes another older one drafted in April by the human rights division of Minusma which accused the Malian and Nigerian armies of violence against civilians.

Abuses in the Sahel therefore seem to be increasing. In Mali, on Friday, an association, Tabital Pulaaku, pointed the finger at the Malian army, accusing it according to testimony of having set fire to a village in central Mali. Authorities recognize a death toll of 29 villagers. But according to a statement "  the authors have not been clearly identified  ".

► Read also: Sahel: towards a deployment in the coming weeks of European special forces

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  • Sahel
  • Niger
  • Mali
  • Burkina Faso
  • Human rights
  • Defense
  • NGO

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