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SUMMARY: Between 07 April and 20 April, 236 social media posts on the aid sector generated 385 comments across Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso The rise in negative sentiment was concentrated in Burkina Faso, primarily appearing in the comment sections of media posts and largely directed at INGOs and UN agencies.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Malian official criticises human rights INGO sparks disinformation A Facebook post published by a local media platform on 10 April featuring remarks by a government minister in Mali prompted anti-aid rhetoric. The minister’s statements centred on an international human rights organisation, ca ling into question their relevance and impartiality. While the post itself remained neutral in tone, the comments section reflected strong reactions, with a large number of users expressing support for the minister’s views and broader criticism of international bodies. All of the comments agreed with the minister’s position. Many responses also caled for a reassessment of relationships with international institutions and suggested that human rights principles have been inconsistently applied in the Sahel. INGOs received the bulk of criticism, often portrayed as vehicles of foreign influence accused of undermining national sovereignty and contributing to regional destabilisation. UN agencies were also mentioned in the comments, though to a lesser extent. No negative commentary was directed at local NGOs.
Many users echoed anti-colonial and sovereignty-oriented narratives, suggesting that international human rights organisations serve as instruments of geopolitical control. INGOs were accused of complicity in imperialist agendas, with some comments a leging their involvement in enabling terrorism, manipulating narratives, and paving the way for resource exploitation. There were also ca ls to expel such organisations from the region entirely.