The Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently published a report detailing the escalation of attacks on civilians in Burkina Faso by armed groups with links to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS). The report documented the killing of at least 128 civilians in seven attacks that violated international humanitarian law, constituting war crimes. These groups have been accused of massacring villagers, displaced people, and Christian worshippers. The surge in violence has raised concerns among experts, including HRW’s senior Sahel researcher Ilaria Allegrozzi, who called for an end to the deadly attacks.
Burkina Faso has been facing an armed rebellion led by the ISIL affiliate in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the al-Qaeda-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) since they moved into the country from neighboring Mali in 2016. The military government of Ibrahim Traore has been grappling with these groups, pushing for civilians to play a role in fighting back. Thousands of volunteer army auxiliaries have been recruited, and civilians have been forced to dig defensive trenches as part of the government’s efforts to combat the insurgents.
HRW’s report includes witness accounts of gruesome atrocities committed by these armed groups, such as an attack on a church in the village of Essakane in February, where at least 12 people were killed in retaliation against Christians who refused to abandon their religion. JNIM was involved in six other attacks, including one in June on an army base near Niger that resulted in the deaths of 107 soldiers and at least 20 civilians. Another tragic incident occurred in August when up to 400 people were killed in a JNIM attack on civilians digging trenches around the town of Barsalogho.
The report cited data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which revealed that over 26,000 people, including soldiers, militiamen, and civilians, had been killed in Burkina Faso since 2016. This staggering death toll highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in the country. The violence perpetrated by these armed groups has caused immense suffering among the civilian population, with innocent people being targeted in brutal attacks that violate international humanitarian law.
The situation in Burkina Faso remains precarious, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict between government forces and armed groups with links to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and ISIL. The continued attacks on villagers, displaced people, and religious minorities have created a climate of fear and insecurity in the country. The government’s efforts to recruit civilians and improve security measures have not been sufficient to protect the population from the escalating violence.
International organizations like HRW are calling for urgent action to address the crisis in Burkina Faso and protect civilians from further harm. The widespread human rights violations and war crimes committed by armed groups must be condemned and addressed through legal and humanitarian measures. The international community plays a crucial role in supporting Burkina Faso in its efforts to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens. It is essential to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable and provide support to the victims of the violence in Burkina Faso.
