Omanghana
A new report by Human Rights Watch has revealed widespread atrocities committed by both government forces and Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso, raising serious concerns about escalating violence and accountability in the country’s ongoing conflict.
The report, released on April 2, 2026, documents evidence of acts that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Since the military junta took power in September 2022, at least 1,800 civilians have been killed in documented incidents, although the true number is believed to be significantly higher.
Titled “None Can Run Away,” the report details 57 major incidents involving violence against civilians. According to the findings, state security forces and allied militia groups known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) were responsible for the majority of civilian deaths, accounting for 1,255 fatalities—more than double the number attributed to insurgent groups.
The report also accuses government forces of carrying out systematic ethnic cleansing against the Fulani community, who have been broadly accused by authorities of supporting Islamist militants. On the other side of the conflict, the Al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin has been blamed for the killing of at least 582 civilians, often targeting individuals suspected of collaborating with the government or allied militias.
The humanitarian impact of the conflict continues to worsen, with more than 2 million people displaced—representing roughly 10 percent of the population. Many of those displaced are living in besieged towns where access to food and necessities is severely limited, increasing the risk of widespread hunger.
Several major incidents highlighted in the report illustrate the scale of the violence. In December 2023, more than 400 civilians were killed across multiple villages in the northern town of Djibo during operations involving military forces and allied militias. In February 2024, 223 civilians, including dozens of children, were executed in Nondin and Soro. Later in August 2024, at least 133 civilians were killed in Barsalogho by insurgents while they were reportedly digging defensive trenches for the army. In March 2025, over 130 Fulani civilians were killed during a military operation in Solenzo known as “Operation Green Whirlwind 2.”
The report identifies key figures on both sides who may bear responsibility under international law. These include Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, along with several senior military commanders. On the insurgent side, responsibility is attributed to Iyad Ag Ghaly and other commanders linked to JNIM.
Human Rights Watch is calling on the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into the alleged crimes. The appeal comes amid growing concerns about accountability, particularly as Burkina Faso has taken steps to distance itself from certain international legal mechanisms.
Source: Omanghana
