regional conference on Sahel human rights protection amid rising insecurity

The president of the Niger National Human Rights Commission (CNHRC), Mr. Maty El Hadj Moussa, led the opening ceremony yesterday in Niamey for a two-day regional conference focused on human rights protection mechanisms in the Sahel, particularly in the volatile tri-border area shared by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The event brought together key stakeholders, including the Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice, the Africa Director of the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), the German Ambassador to Niger, and other distinguished guests.

key objectives of the conference

This high-level gathering aims to:

• Educate participants on best practices for safeguarding human rights in conflict zones
• Enhance capacity-building for prevention of rights violations through effective mechanisms and tools
• Strengthen governance and the rule of law by empowering internal and external oversight institutions to fulfill their mandates

addressing human rights violations in a crisis zone

During the opening session, Mr. Maty El Hadj Moussa highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the tri-border region, where civilians endure extreme violence from both unidentified armed groups and, in some cases, state security forces. «In this area, innocent populations suffer under an unprecedented wave of asymmetric warfare and brutal violence,» he stated. «The enemy operates within communities, making any suspicion a potential death sentence for those who dare to speak out.»

The CNHRC president emphasized that the ongoing crisis demands urgent action from all human rights defenders. «Today’s discussions are essential to develop solutions that address the legitimate aspirations of our citizens for peace, security, and stability,» he concluded.

call for collective action and international support

Mr. Moussa Sahirou Tchida, Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Justice, underscored the need for unified efforts from all stakeholders to implement effective initiatives. «The collaboration of our partners, especially European Union member states—whose support for this conference is invaluable—gives us hope,» he said. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working alongside regional and international actors to restore stability in the tri-border zone.

The Africa Director of DCAF, Ms. Anne Benette, echoed this sentiment, noting that political, social, humanitarian, health, and environmental crises in the Sahel have intensified governance challenges. «The escalating insecurity, armed conflicts, transnational crime, and intercommunal tensions are eroding human rights and social cohesion,» she warned. «This conference provides a vital platform to share best practices, identify challenges, and strengthen our collective response to uphold the rule of law and human dignity.»

Speaking on behalf of international partners, Mr. Herman Nicolai, the German Ambassador to Niger, pointed out the alarming rise in violence across the Sahel, far outpacing other regions in Africa. «The relentless violence fueled by extremist groups and transnational criminal networks has claimed thousands of civilian and military lives and displaced countless others over the past decade,» he stated.

a step toward sustainable peace and justice

As the conference unfolds, participants are expected to engage in in-depth dialogues, share experiences, and chart a path forward to mitigate human rights abuses and reinforce institutional resilience in the face of ongoing insecurity.