The killing of civilians by the Burkina Faso military questions the country’s human rights commitment.
Development Diaries reports that on 25 February, 2024, the Burkina Faso military brutally killed at least 223 citizens in two villages, including at least 56 children., according to findings from Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Reports have emerged detailing instances where innocent civilians, including women and children, have been targeted and killed during military operations ostensibly aimed at combating insurgency and terrorism.
According to HRW, the mass killings are among the worst army abuses in Burkina Faso since 2015 and appear to be part of a widespread military campaign against civilians accused of collaborating with Islamist armed groups.
They also believe the killings may amount to crimes against humanity.
Apart from the apparent loss of lives, such act by the military undermine the trust and confidence of the population in their own security forces, worsening the already fragile security situation in Burkina Faso.
Amidst the escalating violence and insecurity in the Sahel region, it is imperative for the Burkina Faso government to investigate these allegations thoroughly and ensure accountability for those responsible for these atrocities.
Respect for human rights and adherence to international humanitarian law must remain paramount, even in the face of security challenges.
The Burkinabè authorities’ persistent inability to stop and address these atrocities is even more concerning, and this emphasises the need for international support to conduct a reliable enquiry into possible crimes against humanity.
In its Freedom in the World report for 2024, Freedom House ranked Burkina Faso ‘not free’, scoring 27 out of 100.
Development Diaries calls on the Burkina Faso authorities to urgently undertake a thorough investigation into the massacres.
We also encourage international human rights organisations and the broader international community to continue to monitor the situation closely and exert pressure on the Burkina Faso authorities to uphold human rights standards and prevent further civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.
Photo source: U.S Army Southern European Task Force
