In Dakar, Senegal, alarming video footage circulating on social media of a recent civilian massacre in Burkina Faso suggests involvement by militia groups allied with the government, according to Human Rights Watch. The organization has urged authorities to thoroughly investigate and hold all responsible parties accountable.
Eyewitness accounts collected by Human Rights Watch indicate that security forces and affiliated militias launched extensive operations in the Solenzo region earlier this week, allegedly targeting displaced members of the Fulani community in what appears to be a retaliatory move. The Fulani have long been accused by Burkina Faso’s government of harboring support for Muslim militants.
Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, expressed concern over the lack of accountability for the militias involved, stating that the video evidence from Solenzo highlights the ongoing issue. She emphasized the need for authorities to take decisive actions against these militia groups to protect civilians and punish those responsible for such acts.
In response, the Burkina Faso government refuted the claims, criticizing the dissemination of social media content it claims incites hatred, violence, and misinformation, potentially disrupt social cohesion within the nation.
Burkina Faso, situated in the Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert, with a population exceeding 23 million, has become symbolic of the security crises plaguing the region. Violence involving extremist groups, as well as clashes with government forces, has been pervasive, extending beyond the national borders and contributing to political instability marked by two military coups.
Despite the military junta’s promise to restore stability after seizing power in 2022, the situation has worsened. Official estimates suggest that more than 60% of the nation is not under government control, over 2.1 million people are displaced, and approximately 6.5 million require humanitarian aid for survival.
Human Rights Watch’s recent findings, derived from videos, media coverage, and insights from local informants, reveal that the majority of the Solenzo massacre victims were ethnic Fulani. The footage indicates that at least 58 people, including children, were either killed or left dying.
Analysts suggest that the junta’s military strategy, involving mass recruitment of inadequately trained civilians into militia units, has intensified ethnic tensions. Data collected by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project supports claims of increased militia aggression against civilians since Capt. Ibrahim Traore assumed power.
Reports from Human Rights Watch indicate that substantial human rights abuses have been committed by the nation’s armed forces and militias during their counterinsurgency efforts. These include unlawful killings of Fulani civilians suspected of allying with Islamist forces.
Due to the military’s de facto censorship measures, obtaining accurate information on the ground is challenging. Rights groups have noted that individuals who attempt to report or criticize the situation risk abduction, imprisonment, or forced conscription into the military, further complicating efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian and security crisis.
