Human Rights Watch has linked Burkina Faso’s pro-junta militias to a massacre in western Burkina Faso, where dozens, including women and children, were reportedly killed. Government officials dismissed these claims as disinformation. HRW alleges the victims belong to the Fulani ethnic group, while the junta has faced criticism for its methods in combating a persistent jihadist threat.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has made alarming claims regarding pro-junta militias’ involvement in a recent massacre in western Burkina Faso that has resulted in numerous fatalities. According to HRW’s statement, graphic videos circulating on social media depict armed individuals in militia uniforms aiding the government’s offensive against Islamist factions. These videos purportedly show 58 individuals, including women and children, either deceased or in critical condition, with estimates suggesting the actual death toll may be higher due to bodies being stacked together.
In response to these allegations, government spokesperson Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo asserted that the images represent a disinformation campaign aimed at destabilizing social cohesion in the country. He insisted that the militias, collaborating with the military, were engaged in combat against what he termed “terrorists” and encountered civilians they believed had been utilized as human shields. The official statement alleged that they had subsequently neutralized approximately 100 criminals during their operations.
HRW identified the victims predominantly as members of the Fulani ethnic group, whom authorities suspect of collusion with extremist organizations linked to al Qaeda and ISIS. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at HRW, emphasized that the disturbing footage exposes a glaring lack of accountability for the actions of pro-government militias in Burkina Faso, highlighting an environment of impunity.
The tragic events unfolded in and around Solenzo on March 10 and 11, with recognizable uniforms of the Homeland Defence Volunteers (VDP) seen on the assailants. Allegrozzi noted that as the conflict in Burkina Faso nears its ninth year, both state forces and their allied militias, alongside Islamist armed groups, are perpetrating grave atrocities against a beleaguered population without facing repercussions.
Burkina Faso is grappling with a jihadist insurgency that has affected the Sahel region since its initial emergence in Mali over a decade ago. The military government, which came to power through a coup in 2022, has been criticized by human rights organizations for its controversial national security measures. Both HRW and Amnesty International have accused the junta of abducting and conscripting dissenters, with backing from victims and civil society organizations. Rights advocates and the United Nations have cataloged severe abuses believed to be committed by Malian and Burkinabe military forces against civilians viewed as accomplices to jihadists; however, both military sectors adamantly deny any wrongdoing.
The recent claims from Human Rights Watch regarding the atrocities linked to Burkina Faso’s pro-junta militias underline the grave humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite the government’s denial of these accusations, the ongoing conflict and the associated transgressions against civilians raise significant concerns about accountability and the protection of human rights in Burkina Faso. As the situation develops, continuous scrutiny from international human rights organizations will be crucial in advocating for the victims and ensuring potential implications for those responsible.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
