Burkina Faso Government Criticized for Exposing Civilians to Danger

A devastating militant attack in Burkina Faso earlier this year has raised serious concerns about the government’s handling of civilian safety. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the government needlessly exposed civilians to danger during the attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 133 people, including dozens of children.

The attack, which occurred in August, was carried out by fighters from the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) group, an al-Qaeda-linked militant organization. The group invaded the Barsalogho commune, located 80 km from the capital Ouagadougou, and opened fire on villagers who were forcibly helping security forces dig trenches to protect security posts and villages.

The JNIM group claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that all the villagers targeted were members of Burkina Faso-affiliated militias. However, Human Rights Watch disputes this claim, stating that the attack was a clear example of atrocities committed by Islamist armed groups against civilians whom the government has exposed to unnecessary risk.

Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, said, "The Barsalogho massacre is the latest example of atrocities committed by Islamist armed groups against civilians whom the government has exposed to unnecessary risk." Allegrozzi also highlighted the government’s reliance on armed civilian auxiliaries, known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP), to fight the militants, which puts civilians at great risk.

The report also reveals that the Burkinabe army forced male residents to dig a new section of trench near the village without paying them, despite many refusing to do so due to fear of being exposed to attack. Witnesses cited in the report stated that soldiers forced them to do the work by threatening and beating them.

In response to the report, the country’s justice minister, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, stated that forced labor was prohibited by law in Burkina Faso and that the testimonies of the military forcing the population to dig the trench were not proven.

The attack is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Burkina Faso, where militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have killed thousands of people and displaced more than two million. The violence has contributed to two coups in 2022, and the military junta has struggled to end the attacks despite seeking new security partnerships with Russia and other junta-ruled countries in the Sahel region.

As the situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate, it is clear that the government must take immediate action to protect its civilians and prevent further atrocities. The international community must also play a role in supporting the people of Burkina Faso and helping to bring an end to the violence that has plagued the country for far too long.