Escalating repression in west Africa: military regimes’ struggle for legitimacy

In Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, a disturbing pattern of repression is intensifying, appearing to serve as a veil for profound failures within the military regimes.

 

Widespread crackdowns, arbitrary detentions, and severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms are becoming the norm as the military governments of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) grapple with profound crises of legitimacy. This harsh environment presents significant challenges for human rights defenders and media outlets across the region.

 

The timeless warning,