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Attacks, Abuses On the Rise in Africa's Sahel Region

Anita Powell

   JOHANNESBURG - While global attention remains centered on the
   coronavirus, a U.S. special envoy is sounding the alarm about crises in
   Africa's Sahel region, especially the political unrest in Mali, and the
   growing number of alleged human rights violations and abuses in the
   troubled region.

   Amid the world focus on the coronavirus pandemic, another force is
   bringing death and destruction to the vast, arid region of Africa known
   as the Sahel. J. Peter Pham,the U.S. top envoy to the region, says
   recent developments there are of great concern.

   "In the last quarter, by our count-- that's the quarter ended June 30th
   --there were 270 attacks by extremists in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
   That number represents an almost 40 percent increase from a year
   earlier. So that's significant. That's worrisome as a trend," he said.

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