Month: September 2025

The Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI), which includes prominent organizations like the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), Redress, Trial International, and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ), has condemned the announced withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move represents a significant setback, undermining decades of African leadership in the global fight against impunity and weakening both the ICC and the broader project of international justice at a time when…

WHO strengthens NGO partnerships in Mali’s health sector The World Health Organization (WHO) has led the coordination of health sector partners in Mali since 2012. By 2025, Mali faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with 6.4 million people—nearly 28% of its population—requiring urgent assistance. The humanitarian response plan remains critically underfunded at just 8.5%, with only 6% allocated to health, severely limiting the ability of aid organizations to address pressing needs. To tackle these challenges, the second reserve allocation from the Humanitarian Fund for Rapid Response in Africa (FHRAOC) targets displaced…

Bamako — Kadidia, a 19-year-old student in Bamako, once hesitated to discuss contraception. « I was ashamed to talk about it, » she admits. « In my community, it’s still a taboo subject. I feared judgment or gossip. » Her story reflects the challenges many young women in Mali face when accessing sexual and reproductive health services. Despite progress, Mali continues to grapple with high maternal mortality rates. In 2024, the country recorded 583 maternal deaths, including 89 among adolescents aged 15 to 19. Early and unintended pregnancies remain significant…

When the notorious Russian mercenary group Wagner declared its departure from Mali earlier this year, it proclaimed on social media that its “mission was accomplished.” However, after three and a half years of counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, their impact proved disastrous. The Sahelian nation of Mali regrettably continues to be recognized as a global epicenter of terrorism. “Despite its combat-ready reputation and occasional claims of public successes in Mali, the Wagner Group’s strategy has been plagued by a series of failures,” stated the investigative organization The Sentry in an August…

Our operations Burkina Faso since 2008 Our operations Burkina Faso Key figures Population: 23 548 781 GDP per capita: 987.3 Human development index: 186 / 193 Operational volume: 23 165 251 People supported: 1 238 398 Life expectancy: 61 years Team: 367 Burkina Faso Intervention areas 1. Bobo-Dioulasso 2. Dori 3. Fada N’gourma 4. Ouagadougou 5. Ouahigouya 6. Tenkodogo Since 2019, Burkina Faso has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis driven by political instability, escalating security threats, and climate-related shocks. In 2024, over 2,938 security incidents were recorded, leaving…

Mali: the UN raises alarm over suspended elections and crackdown The United Nations has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating situation in Mali. In a strong statement, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed deep concern about the indefinite postponement of elections and the escalation of repression targeting civil society groups. “Recent legislative changes risk undermining human rights in Mali for years to come,” Türk warned, urging the transitional authorities to take urgent, concrete action to repeal these problematic laws. Unlimited mandate sparks controversy In July, General…

UN warns of growing authoritarianism and repression in Mali The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has raised urgent concerns about the deteriorating political situation in Mali, where democratic processes are being eroded under an increasingly repressive regime. The alarm was sounded following a series of legal and institutional changes implemented by the military junta since 2020, consolidating power in the hands of General Assimi Goïta. These measures have effectively closed the door on any democratic elections in the foreseeable future, according to Volker Türk. Indefinite suspension…

Click to expand Image On September 1st, Burkina Faso’s transitional legislative assembly passed a bill criminalizing consensual same-sex relationships, marking a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Under the new legislation, individuals convicted of homosexuality face up to five years in prison and substantial fines. This move infringes upon the fundamental rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, including their rights to non-discrimination and privacy. It was enacted amid a broader tightening of civic space and political repression by the military junta against opposition groups, media outlets,…