Burkina Faso Forces Accused of War Crimes as Civilian Deaths Surpass Jihadist Violence
Reported by Nexio News
Burkina Faso’s security forces and allied militias have been accused of committing widespread atrocities, including ethnic cleansing, in a damning new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The findings reveal that government troops have killed more than twice as many civilians as jihadist militants over the past two years—raising alarms over potential war crimes and crimes against humanity.
A Deadlier Threat Than Jihadists
Since 2021, Burkina Faso has been engulfed in violent insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. Yet, HRW’s 316-page investigation suggests that the government’s own forces—alongside allied militias—have become an even deadlier threat to civilians.
Between January 2023 and August 2025, at least 1,837 civilians were killed in 57 documented incidents. Shockingly, 33 of these attacks were carried out by state security forces, accounting for approximately 1,255 deaths—far exceeding the toll attributed to militant groups.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s senior Sahel researcher, stated that Burkina Faso’s forces “appear to be more brutal and violent” than jihadist factions like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The report warns that such abuses could fuel further radicalization and destabilize the region.
Ethnic Targeting of the Fulani Minority
The Fulani people, a semi-nomadic ethnic group making up 8.5% of Burkina Faso’s population, have faced systematic violence. HRW alleges that government forces routinely attack Fulani villages under the pretext of rooting out jihadist collaborators.
“These reprisal killings suggest a de facto policy of ethnic targeting,” the report states. Satellite imagery and hundreds of witness testimonies corroborate mass executions, forced disappearances, and village burnings.
Conflicts between farmers and herders have long plagued the Sahel, but HRW argues that Burkina Faso’s military leadership has exploited these tensions, turning them into a brutal campaign of repression.
A Junta Struggling for Control
Burkina Faso has been under military rule since a 2022 coup, but the junta has failed to curb the violence. Over 60% of the country remains outside government control, displacing more than 2.1 million people. Nearly 6.5 million now rely on humanitarian aid to survive.
The regime has repeatedly denied accusations of extrajudicial killings, insisting its operations target only “terrorists.” Yet, HRW’s findings—based on 450 interviews and verified evidence—paint a starkly different picture.
Censorship and International Fallout
The junta has tightened its grip on information, blocking critical media outlets and intimidating journalists. Speaking out against abuses can lead to abduction, forced conscription, or imprisonment.
The crisis has also strained Burkina Faso’s foreign relations. After expelling French troops in 2022, the country deepened ties with Russia, raising concerns over the growing influence of Kremlin-linked mercenaries in the Sahel.
HRW warns that unchecked state violence risks alienating Western allies while strengthening jihadist recruitment. “Senior leaders on all sides may be liable for war crimes,” the report concludes, calling for urgent international accountability.
— Reported by Nexio News
