Burkina Faso's Ongoing Violence: HRW Report on Civilian Deaths and Calls for Accountability

Burkina Faso's Ongoing Violence: HRW Report on Civilian Deaths and Calls for Accountability

Burkina Faso has been facing ongoing violence from jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, despite the ruling junta's efforts to address the situation. The Army, along with civilian volunteers known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), has been engaged in the fight against these groups, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians over the past decade, as reported by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

HRW's report highlighted that between January 2023 and August 2025, at least 1,837 civilians were killed in various regions of Burkina Faso in incidents involving the Army, VDP, and the Al-Qaeda affiliate Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM). The report called for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties involved in the conflict since the 2022 coup.

The report detailed that the military and VDP were responsible for the deaths of 1,255 civilians in 33 incidents, while JNIM was accountable for at least 582 deaths in 24 attacks during the same period. HRW's findings were based on extensive research, including interviews with over 450 individuals and analysis of various sources such as photos, videos, and satellite imagery.

One of the deadliest attacks mentioned in the report occurred in December 2023, where hundreds of civilians were killed by Burkinabe military and VDPs in multiple villages north of Djibo. The report described the killings as brutal and highlighted the lasting psychological impact on survivors. Additionally, JNIM was accused of targeting civilians who resisted its authority or were perceived to support government forces, resulting in mass casualties in towns like Barsalogho in August 2024.

HRW called for an impartial investigation into the junta chief Traore and other leaders for their potential criminal liability in the documented abuses. The report also urged for accountability measures against JNIM's leadership for their role in the atrocities. Furthermore, HRW recommended that Burkina Faso's partners and donors impose sanctions and avoid collaborating with the country's Army to address the ongoing human rights violations and violence in the region.