A new report by Human Rights Watch has revealed widespread atrocities in Burkina Faso, accusing government forces, allied militias, and an Al Qaeda-linked armed group of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the ethnic cleansing of Fulani communities.
According to the report, more than 1,800 civilians have been killed and tens of thousands forcibly displaced since 2023 as violence intensifies across the country. The findings document abuses by the military junta, allied militias known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDPs), and the Islamist armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin.
The 316-page report details 57 incidents involving serious violations against civilians between 2023 and 2025. Researchers conducted over 450 interviews across multiple countries and used satellite imagery, audiovisual evidence, and official documents to verify the scale of abuses.
Under the leadership of Ibrahim Traoré, the military government is accused of carrying out a campaign targeting Fulani communities, who are often suspected of supporting Islamist groups. These actions have led to mass killings and the destruction of entire communities, which rights groups describe as ethnic cleansing.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred in December 2023 near the town of Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were reportedly killed during a military operation involving government forces and militias. Survivors described indiscriminate shootings and widespread violence, including the killing of women and children.
In another case, militias allegedly killed 13 Fulani civilians, including women and children, in the village of Bassé. Witnesses reported executions carried out with extreme brutality, underscoring the systematic nature of the violence.
At the same time, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin has also been responsible for large-scale attacks on civilians. In August 2024, the group killed at least 133 people in Barsalogho, accusing residents of supporting government-aligned militias. The group has also imposed sieges on towns, restricted movement, and destroyed infrastructure, contributing to hunger, disease, and displacement.
The report concludes that all parties to the conflict have committed serious violations, including attacks on civilians, forced displacement, looting, and destruction of property. It further states that senior leaders, including President Traoré and key military commanders, as well as JNIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly, could bear responsibility under international law.
Despite the scale of abuses, accountability remains limited. Victims and their families report a lack of trust in national justice systems, while authorities have been accused of suppressing information and failing to conduct credible investigations.
Human Rights Watch has called on international actors, including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, and the United States, to take stronger action. Recommendations include imposing targeted sanctions on those responsible and urging the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary examination into alleged crimes committed since the junta took power in 2022.
The report highlights the urgent need for global attention and coordinated action to address the escalating crisis, ensure accountability, and protect civilians caught in the conflict.
