Burkina Faso has rejected a report by Human Rights Watch claiming that more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in acts amounting to “crimes against humanity” since the military takeover led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022.
The New York-based rights group said its findings were based on open-source analysis, including video footage and satellite imagery, as well as interviews with survivors and witnesses. It attributed the majority of the killings to Burkina Faso’s armed forces and allied militias, with the remainder carried out by Islamist militants.
Among the incidents cited, the report highlighted an attack in December 2023 in Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were reportedly killed by government forces and militia groups. Survivors described the killings as brutal and said they had suffered lasting psychological trauma.
In response, Burkina Faso’s government dismissed the report as “false” and based on “conjecture and unfounded allegations.” Officials said the findings did not reflect the realities on the ground and accused the organisation of misrepresenting the security situation.
The country has been gripped by violence since 2015, as Islamist insurgencies linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have intensified, particularly in the north and east. The military’s efforts to counter the threat have often been accompanied by accusations of human rights abuses.
Burkina Faso is one of several West African nations to experience military coups in recent years, alongside Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Gabon. Each transition has been accompanied by concerns over governance, stability, and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.
The government has pledged to restore security and sovereignty, but the ongoing violence and recurring allegations of abuses have drawn international scrutiny. Human rights groups continue to call for independent investigations into civilian deaths and accountability for violations committed by all parties involved.
