USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in the Sahel Region of Africa

USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in the Sahel Region of Africa

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following new report on religious freedom conditions in the Sahel region of Africa:

Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Sahel Region of Africa – This report provides an overview of religious freedom conditions in the Sahel region of Africa and highlights recent developments. The report evaluates the three countries of Sudan, Mali and Niger and discusses violent extremist groups, the fragility of governments, the presence of the armed forces in politics, and ethno-religious clashes in isolated areas. The report notes that the presence of the Wagner Group in the Sahel reduces direct Western influence on counterinsurgency operations there and reflects a new great power competition among non-African states vying to influence the region.

In February 2023, USCIRF released a factsheet on religious freedom concerns in Central Africa. In 2021, USCIRF released a factsheet that highlighted violations against Muslims across Africa.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].