About security situation in West Africa

Resolution adopted on June 12, 2013 by VI International Conference of la Via Campesina

This motion is concerned with the current security situation in West Africa, and in particular Mali after the recent occupation of the north of the country by armed groups and so-called Islamists. This occupation has brought with it a lot of collateral damage, in cities but in particular in rural areas. This has compelled the local peasants to flee, seeing refuge in neighbouring countries (Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Niger, Mauritania, Algeria). No West African country has been spared from this turmoil, as is testified by a recent attack in Niger, carried out by an Islamist, which caused many deaths. It has even touched North Africa, notably in the attack on a gas installation in Algeria with an equally severe death toll, including European and Asian workers.

This situation deserves special attention and the support of all, especially from the Via Campesina family, from Asia and Africa to the Americas and Europe.