Over 1,800 Killed Since Junta Took Control in Burkina Faso, Rights Group Reports

A new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) alleges that more than 1,800 civilians have perished in Burkina Faso under the military regime since Ibrahim Traoré assumed power in 2022. The findings classify these actions as “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Between January 2023 and August 2025, the group documented 57 incidents resulting in 1,837 deaths, with 1,255 attributed to the military and its affiliated militias. The remaining casualties are linked to Islamist militant groups.

HRW asserts that President Traoré and six senior military officers may bear responsibility for the abuses, citing command liability. The report also identifies five jihadist leaders as potentially accountable. While Burkinabé authorities have not yet responded, they have previously rejected claims of civilian casualties by their forces.

One of the most lethal events cited occurred in December 2023, when the military and allied militias reportedly killed over 400 people in Djibo, a northern town. A 35-year-old woman shared her harrowing experience with HRW, stating that her two daughters were killed instantly and her nine-month-old son was injured by bullets. She recalled a militia member ordering, “Make sure no-one is breathing before heading out.” Survivors described the violence as brutal, leaving them with profound psychological scars.

“Many survivors described the killings as ‘butchery’ and said they were left with deep psychological wounds,” the report adds.

The military government’s justification for seizing control was to combat jihadist groups tied to al-Qaeda, which have been waging an insurgency across Burkina Faso and neighboring nations for over a decade. These groups now control significant portions of the country. Despite this, the report highlights a lack of accountability, with the junta accused of concealing civilian suffering through restricted reporting.

Since taking power, authorities have faced accusations of escalating violent campaigns against civilians, particularly in response to attacks by JNIM, the largest jihadist group in the nation. Civilians reportedly feel trapped, facing threats from both JNIM and government forces. The report notes that JNIM has used intimidation and violence to assert dominance, targeting those who resist its rule and are perceived as aiding the military.

HRW is now urging the International Criminal Court to initiate a preliminary investigation into alleged crimes committed by all parties since September 2022. The group has also called on Burkina Faso’s international partners to impose sanctions and limit collaboration with its armed forces. Traoré overthrew Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba in September 2022, nine months after the latter seized power. Though known for his authoritarian style, Traoré has gained widespread support across Africa for his pan-Africanist ideas and critiques of Western influence.

Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, has distanced itself from Western allies like France, shifting its focus to Russia for military backing. However, the violence persists without respite. For more updates on African news, visit BBCAfrica.com and follow BBC Africa on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.