Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Burkina Faso to urgently focus on the protection of civilians amidst the escalating violence from armed groups.
In a report released on Tuesday, the NGO condemned the government’s handling of a recent attack by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) that resulted in the deaths of at least 133 people in August.
The incident, one of the deadliest in recent months, took place in the Barsalogho commune, about 80 km from the capital, Ouagadougou.
According to HRW, villagers were compelled to assist security forces in digging trenches for protection, only to become targets when JNIM fighters opened fire. Many residents initially resisted the order but were reportedly threatened and beaten by military personnel to comply.
HRW’s report, which includes video evidence and eyewitness accounts, revealed that many victims included children, and called the attack a clear war crime. The organization stressed the importance of prioritizing civilian safety in the face of such atrocities.
Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRW’s deputy Africa director, stated, “The massacre in Barsalogho exemplifies the ongoing risks faced by civilians as a result of the government’s actions.”
In response to the allegations, Burkina Faso’s Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala rejected HRW’s claims, asserting that forced labor is prohibited and that there is no substantiated evidence of military coercion.
The violence in Burkina Faso has intensified, with groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS responsible for thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than two million people, leaving significant portions of the country under their control.
