In a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), the government of Burkina Faso has been accused of putting civilians at unnecessary risk during an attack by an al-Qaeda-linked armed group in August. The attack, carried out by Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), resulted in the deaths of at least 133 people in the central part of the country. Villagers in the Barsalogho commune, located 80 kilometers from the capital city, were forced to dig trenches to protect security outposts and villages, only to be targeted by JNIM fighters.
Witnesses quoted in the report stated that villagers were not compensated for their labor and were coerced by threats and beatings from the military to carry out the task. Despite their fears of being exposed to attacks, they had no choice but to comply. JNIM, claiming responsibility for the massacre, viewed the villagers as fighters affiliated with the state. The report confirmed the killings through video analysis and witness accounts, highlighting the deaths of numerous children and injuries to over 200 individuals, branding the attack as an evident war crime.
HRW’s deputy Africa director Carine Kaneza Nantulya called on the authorities to urgently prioritize the protection of civilians amidst ongoing attacks by armed groups. However, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala refuted HRW’s claims, stating that forced labor is prohibited by law and denying accusations of military coercion. The violence in Burkina Faso linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL has resulted in the deaths of thousands and the displacement of over two million people. Despite two coups in 2022, the military government has struggled to fulfill its promise to end the violence, seeking new security partnerships with Russia and neighboring West African countries.
The government’s reliance on armed civilian groups, known as Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland, has also been criticized for putting civilians at risk. According to Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at HRW, these volunteer groups are not adequately trained or equipped to protect civilians, and their involvement in security operations exacerbates the vulnerability of the population. In light of the ongoing violence and attacks by armed groups, the protection of civilians in Burkina Faso must be urgently prioritized to prevent further atrocities and human rights violations.
Efforts to address the security challenges in Burkina Faso have faced numerous obstacles, including the government’s failure to effectively combat armed groups, accusations of human rights abuses, and the displacement of a significant portion of the population. While the authorities have sought new security partnerships and deployed armed civilian groups to assist in defense operations, these measures have not been sufficient to protect civilians. With the increasing threats posed by armed groups like JNIM and ISIL, urgent action is needed to improve the security situation and prevent further loss of life in Burkina Faso.
