DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Human Rights Watch has stated that video footage circulating on social media of a recent civilian massacre in Burkina Faso indicates that government-allied militia may be involved. The organization has urged authorities to investigate and prosecute all individuals responsible for the incident. Testimonies collected by Human Rights Watch suggest that security forces and allied militias conducted extensive operations in the Solenzo region on Monday and Tuesday, targeting displaced Fulani in what appeared to be retaliatory actions against the community, accused by the government of supporting Muslim militants.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the urgent need for action to halt militia attacks on civilians, citing the disturbing videos depicting a massacre allegedly carried out by pro-government militias in Burkina Faso. The Burkinabè authorities declined to comment on the report.
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country with a population of 23 million located in the Sahel region, has become a focal point of the security crisis in recent years. The nation has been rocked by violence stemming from extremist groups and clashes between government forces, much of which has spilled over from neighboring Mali. Following two military coups, the junta that seized power in 2022 has failed to deliver the promised stability. Reports indicate that over 60% of the country is now beyond government control, with more than 2.1 million people displaced and nearly 6.5 million requiring humanitarian assistance to survive.
Human Rights Watch highlighted that based on their analysis, media reports, and local sources, the majority of victims in the Solenzo massacre were of Fulani ethnicity. The organization reported that the videos depicted at least 58 individuals appearing to be dead or gravely injured, including two children.
Analysts suggest that the junta’s strategy of escalating military actions, such as enlisting civilians into undertrained militia units, has heightened tensions between ethnic groups. Data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project indicates a significant rise in militia attacks on civilians since Capt. Ibrahim Traore assumed power.
Human Rights Watch has documented widespread abuses by Burkinabè armed forces and militias during counterinsurgency operations, including unlawful killings of Fulani civilians suspected of aiding Islamist fighters. Rights groups have expressed concerns over the lack of transparency in the country, with military authorities imposing censorship and targeting dissenting voices through abduction, imprisonment, and forced conscription.
