Sahel military rule delivers neither security nor politics; abuses mount

The position holds that military rule in the Sahel has delivered neither security nor a political path, while abuses and instability mount. It concerns the states in West Africa's Sahel region that are governed by military-led governments, chiefly Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, and it treats the closing of democratic space as the common thread.

The position appears in coverage of the Sahel's military transitions, carried by 32 publishers from European countries across 361 matched events. In that coverage it is stated as an assessment of what the military governments have and have not achieved.

The material names no competing position. The events of recent months show continued violence and strain. Jihadist attacks in Mali killed at least 50 soldiers on two occasions, and the group JNIM claimed an attack on the airport in Niger's capital Niamey that left at least 35 dead. Niger's military government said it was back in control after soldiers attacked the presidential palace and the airport, and Russia said its Africa Corps helped repel the attempt. Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties with France after a critical resolution by the European Parliament, and Mali sentenced a French diplomat to 20 years for espionage.