Civilian casualties from government forces in Mali and Burkina Faso risk escalating conflict and radicalization
Original framing: “Burkina Faso and Mali troops kill more civilians than jihadists do, data shows” — The Japan Times
The current violence is rooted in a history of French colonial rule, which created arbitrary borders and weakened local power structures. Post-independence governments have struggled to consolidate legitimacy, often relying on repressive security forces.
The crisis in the Sahel cannot be understood in isolation from its colonial history, governance failures, and the marginalization of local communities.
Government forces, often trained and funded by external actors, have become a source of violence rather than protection, reinforcing the appeal of militant groups. A systemic solution requires a shift from militarized security to community-based peacebuilding, supported by inclusive governance and development. Lessons from indigenous conflict resolution models and cross-cultural peacebuilding efforts in other regions offer a roadmap for sustainable change. International actors must move beyond crisis narratives and support long-term investments in local institutions and marginalized voices.