US warns Sahel nations over extrajudicial killings

The US has warned West Africa’s Sahel nations that it could withdraw its support if security forces violate human rights.

The state department said it was “deeply concerned” by the allegations documented by rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW).

HRW said that at least 180 bodies were found in a mass grave in Burkina Faso with evidence suggesting that government forces were involved in extrajudicial killings.

The state department also cited reports by the UN mission in Malawi.

“The United States has made clear that our assistance to the region must not be used in any way that contributes to violations or abuses of human rights and that without prompt and thorough action to address these allegations, US security assistance may be at risk,” US Department of State spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement.

The statement urged presidents in the G5 Sahel – representing Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – to investigate the allegations and hold “anyone found guilty of human rights violations or abuses” accountable.

Source: BBC