File Photo: An aerial view of Bamako, Mali. AP
UN rights chief Volker Turk voiced concern about the actions of authorities and security forces in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where juntas seized power in coups between 2020 and 2023.
They have made sovereignty and the fight against jihadists their priority after years of deadly attacks by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The three countries have forged closer ties with Russia and have moved away from the former colonial power, France.
"People around the world are crying out for action anchored in human rights, to de-escalate tensions and prevent conflict," Turk told the opening day of the Human Rights Council.
"The central Sahel is at a dangerous tipping point," he added.
In Mali, extremist armed groups launched coordinated attacks on several cities and towns in April, targeting positions of the junta.
"I am concerned about reports that the security forces carried out extrajudicial killings, abducted political opponents, and detained prominent journalists for doing their jobs," Turk said.
In Burkina Faso, extremist armed groups attack, kidnap and threaten civilians, he added.
"I deplore that the authorities have dissolved or suspended more than 930 civil society organisations since April," the UN high commissioner for human rights said.
Meanwhile, he added that "attacks by extremist armed groups in Niger are growing, and the formation of so-called self-defence groups raises serious risks of abuses and intercommunal violence".
"No one has been held accountable for violations reportedly committed by the military," Turk added.
The three countries quit the Economic Community of West African States in January 2025 after teaming up to create their own confederation, the Alliance of Sahel States.
Turning to other conflicts in Africa, Turk said the security situation in northwest and southwest Cameroon remained "deeply concerning" with security forces and armed separatist groups "implicated in unlawful killings and kidnappings".
"At least 20 people were reportedly killed in April 2026 alone," he said.
In Nigeria, he urged the authorities to conduct a prompt and independent investigation into airstrikes by the military that he said reportedly killed more than 100 civilians in the north in May.
"I am also deeply concerned by repeated abductions of schoolchildren and teachers," Turk added.
The UN rights chief was giving his global update at the opening of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
The 47-country council is the UN's top rights body and meets for three regular sessions a year in Geneva.
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