Burkina Faso: Army Behind Most Civilian Deaths — Report

HRW Study Highlights Government’s Role in Violence

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a 316-page report revealing that Burkina Faso’s security forces and associated militias are responsible for the majority of civilian casualties in the country. The study claims these entities exhibit greater brutality and aggression compared to militant jihadist groups. Over a two-year period, government troops were linked to more than twice the number of civilian deaths attributed to armed extremists.

“These atrocities, including the government’s ethnic cleansing of Fulani civilians, qualify as war crimes and crimes against humanity,” the report stated. “Senior leaders on both sides may face accountability for these actions.”

Sahel Region and Military Junta’s Struggles

Jihadist violence has intensified across the Sahel since 2021, creating volatile conditions in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Despite a military coup in 2022 that ousted the previous government, the junta has yet to restore stability. Currently, over 60% of Burkina Faso remains outside official control. The conflict has displaced over 2.1 million people, with nearly 6.5 million requiring humanitarian assistance to survive.

Methodology and Key Findings

HRW’s report is grounded in 450 interviews, alongside analysis of social media and satellite data. It documented at least 1,837 civilian deaths in 57 violent incidents between January 2023 and August 2025. Of these, 33 were directly tied to government forces and their allies, with 1,255 civilian fatalities attributed to official actions. The findings underscore a pattern of disproportionate harm against non-combatants.

Targeting the Fulani Ethnic Group

The Fulani community, a semi-nomadic pastoralist group spread across multiple Sahel nations, has been a focal point of government operations. Allegations suggest the government’s strategy involves reprisal attacks on villages suspected of supporting JNIM, a local al-Qaeda affiliate. Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s senior Sahel researcher, noted that security forces often conduct operations in rural areas, such as escorting aid convoys, where they frequently kill civilians they encounter.

“Security forces are sometimes called upon to operate in regions controlled by JNIM, leading to collateral harm against Fulani civilians,” Allegrozzi remarked.

Government Denials and Censorship

Burkina Faso’s authorities have disputed claims of extrajudicial killings, labeling their targets as “terrorists.” HRW warned that government violence could inadvertently strengthen militant groups, complicating relations with Western nations. The country has already expelled French troops and strengthened ties with Russia, which may further isolate it internationally. The report also highlighted a system of censorship that limits transparency, with critics risking abduction, imprisonment, or conscription into the armed forces.