Six months after $147 million US health deal, Burkina Faso faces fresh sanctions threat from Washington

The latest development came on August 12, when US Congressman James P. McGovern urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make human rights and civilian protection central to Washington’s engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

McGovern called for targeted sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against individuals accused of human rights violations and urged the US government to ensure that any foreign assistance to the region complies with American human rights laws.

The move creates a sharp contrast with Washington’s February agreement with Burkina Faso, under which the US committed up to $147 million over five years toward healthcare.

The agreement demonstrated that despite worsening political relations, Washington still saw areas where cooperation with Burkina Faso remained possible.

The new pressure comes as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have increasingly distanced themselves from Western governments and institutions.

The three military-led states have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), withdrawn from ECOWAS and reduced their security cooperation with traditional Western partners.

They have instead expanded ties with Russia and sought closer economic and diplomatic relationships with other countries in the Global South, including China.

The shift has complicated Washington’s relationship with the region. The US has lost much of its previous security presence, particularly after Niger forced American forces to withdraw from the country in 2024.

McGovern’s intervention follows a May hearing of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which examined alleged abuses by government forces and armed groups in the Central Sahel.

Human Rights Watch and other rights organisations have accused security forces and allied militias in the three countries of unlawful killings, arbitrary detention and other abuses during counterterrorism operations.

The juntas have pushed back against Western criticism, arguing that their governments are confronting an escalating jihadist insurgency and that outside governments do not fully understand the security challenges facing the region.

For Washington, however, the allegations have become increasingly difficult to separate from its broader engagement strategy.

The development could further complicate US efforts to maintain influence in a region where the AES governments are increasingly seeking alternatives to Western partnerships.