MAJOR BREAKING! How an EU-Funded Security Force Helped Senegal Crush Democracy Protests

Dakar, Senegal: A joint investigation by Al Jazeera and the porCausa Foundation has unearthed that a special counterterrorism unit in Senegal, created and funded by the European Union (EU), was used to violently suppress recent pro-democracy protests.

The unit, known as the Rapid Action Surveillance and Intervention Group (GAR-SI), was originally intended to address cross-border crime but has been redirected for internal security operations, including the violent crackdown on protests linked to the trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

Since 2021, Sonko’s trial has sparked widespread protests across Senegal, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.

At least 60 people have been killed since the protests began, with reports of government forces using live ammunition to quell the unrest.

GAR-SI, which was formed with €74 million ($81.3 million) from the EU’s Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, was initially tasked with bolstering Senegal’s border security against threats from armed groups and organized crime, including migrant smuggling.

However, newly obtained evidence suggests that GAR-SI’s resources were repurposed for domestic security operations, with equipment including armoured vehicles, drones, and other resources being used to suppress protests.

One such instance occurred in May 2023 in the southern village of Mampatim, where GAR-SI vehicles were seen firing tear gas at a protest caravan organized by Sonko’s supporters.

These vehicles matched the model of URO SUV Vamtac ST5s, a Spanish-made armoured vehicle delivered to Senegal as part of an EU aid package in 2019.

Although the GAR-SI units were intended to strengthen Senegal’s ability to combat cross-border threats, evidence suggests that the units were also deployed within urban centers like Dakar, particularly during periods of civil unrest.

The EU’s framework for the GAR-SI project explicitly stated that the units should be used for border security purposes, but the reallocation of these resources for internal security operations raises serious concerns regarding the misuse of EU funds.

The GAR-SI project, which ran from 2016 to 2023, had a significant budget, including an initial allocation of more than €7 million ($7.6 million) for the Senegalese unit based in Kidira, a town on Senegal’s border with Mali.

The unit was also supported by technical training from Spain’s Civil Guard, as well as French, Italian, and Portuguese security forces.

Despite the official purpose of GAR-SI being border control and anti-crime measures, internal reports and sources familiar with the project indicate that the unit’s equipment and personnel were used for domestic security operations without clear authorisation from the EU.

A confidential evaluation report from 2022 highlighted that the project lacked human rights safeguards, and there was no formal strategy in place for deploying the units in urban or protest contexts.

Amnesty International’s Ousmane Diallo condemned the use of the GAR-SI units against peaceful demonstrators, stressing the responsibility of international partners to ensure that their funding is not used to violate human rights.

“These units seem to be used to repress human rights instead of fighting terrorism or surveilling the border,” Diallo stated.

The EU Commission, when contacted for comment, expressed concern over any misuse of force but reiterated that the GAR-SI project was intended for cross-border crime prevention, not for suppressing demonstrations.

The Spanish government also denied any involvement in using GAR-SI to repress protests, stating that the project agreement specifically forbade such use of the equipment and resources.

The political climate in Senegal remains tense. Following accusations of corruption and other charges against Sonko, the opposition leader has mobilized significant public support, alleging that the legal actions against him are politically motivated by President Macky Sall’s government. Protests erupted again in February 2024 when Sall announced a delay in the presidential election, which was originally scheduled for February 25. This move was later declared unconstitutional by Senegal’s courts, further exacerbating the political crisis.

The European Union, which has been a key player in Senegal’s development aid, now faces scrutiny over the unintended consequences of its funding. The GAR-SI project, which was designed to combat crime and enhance security in Senegal’s border regions, has become a symbol of broader concerns about the misuse of foreign aid and its role in reinforcing authoritarian practices.

This investigation was a joint effort by Al Jazeera and the porCausa Foundation.