European Parliament, Strasbourg: MEPs have voiced concern at the “alarming” situation in west and central Africa. .

Carlos Zorrinho MEP.
“Covid, the impact of the Russian war against Ukraine, religious conflicts, natural disasters and climate change – associated with bad governance, corruption and abuse of power – have generated even more poverty and insecurity; fueling growing dissatisfaction among the population. The resentment over external interventions perceived as colonialist and at the same time the controversial Russian and Chinese influence, has weakened the EU’s ability to prevent and discourage coups d’état in the region.
“We, as the EU, must continue to denounce attacks on constitutional and democratic order and increase our cooperation with the African Union, The Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and all other international actors involved, facilitating a roadmap for the short and long term towards democracy.
“The regime of sanctions should then be revised. While they are mechanisms that act as deterrents to coups and as a pressure tool to return to constitutional normality, they risk worsening the humanitarian situation on the ground.
“This is something we need to avoid at all costs. We call on the Commission, therefore, to deepen the exception system applicable to collective sanctions, in order to guarantee access to humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable populations,” the MEP added.
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