Burkina Faso’s government has strongly denied a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleging that more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in acts amounting to “crimes against humanity” since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a 2022 coup.
The HRW report accuses the Burkinabè military and allied militias of being responsible for the majority of the killings, while attributing the rest to Islamist militant groups operating in the country. The findings are based on open-source investigations, including analysis of satellite imagery, video evidence, and testimonies from witnesses and survivors.
One of the most serious incidents highlighted in the report allegedly occurred in December 2023 in the northern town of Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were said to have been killed by military forces and their allies. Survivors described the attack as brutal and said they continue to suffer psychological trauma.
In response, the government dismissed the report as “false” and “unfounded,” accusing HRW of making speculative claims without credible evidence. Officials insist that the country’s armed forces are engaged in a legitimate fight against terrorism and are committed to protecting civilians.
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Burkina Faso has been battling a growing jihadist insurgency linked to extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The worsening security crisis has contributed to political instability, including the 2022 coup that brought Traoré to power.
The country is part of a broader wave of military takeovers in West Africa in recent years, alongside nations such as Guinea and Gabon, raising concerns about governance and human rights across the region.
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The conflicting accounts underscore the challenges of verifying events in conflict zones, where access is limited and narratives are often contested.
