Burkina Faso's Junta Accused of 'War Crimes' as Civilians Continue to Suffer

Wed Aug 19 2026 08:46:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new report reveals that over 1,800 civilians have died in Burkina Faso since the military coup led by Ibrahim Traoré, raising concerns about human rights violations and the ongoing violence.

Human Rights Watch reports that more than 1,800 civilians, including children, have been killed in Burkina Faso since the junta's rise to power in 2022. Most of these killings are attributed to military forces and allied militia groups. The report calls for an investigation into these alleged war crimes, pointing to the junta's failure to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable.

More than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since Ibrahim Traoré seized power three years ago in acts amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, a new report says.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) states that around 1,837 civilians, including dozens of children, were killed in 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025.

The organization attributes most of the killings—1,255—to the military and allied militias, while the remainder were blamed on Islamist militants.

HRW suggests that President Traoré and six senior military commanders may face liability due to their command responsibilities for these grave abuses, while five jihadist leaders might also be culpable.

The Burkinabé authorities have not yet commented on the report but have dismissed previous accusations that their forces have killed civilians.

The military government's justification for seizing power was to address the threats posed by jihadist groups associated with al-Qaeda, which have entrenched themselves in Burkina Faso and neighboring countries over the past decade.

The report elaborates on the extensive use of open-source information, including photos, satellite imagery, and witness interviews.

All sides are responsible for the war crimes of willful killing, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, pillage and looting, and forced displacement, it states.

It heavily criticizes the junta for committing horrendous abuses, urging the international community to take action and highlighting that the situation has largely escaped global attention.

One of the most horrific incidents cited occurred in December 2023, when the military and allied militias reportedly killed over 400 civilians in the northern town of Djibo.

A witness recounted her tragic experience, stating that her two daughters died instantly, while she and her infant son sustained injuries from gunfire.

Survivors of the assault described it as 'butchery', indicating the deep psychological scars stemming from these events.

The militias supporting the government include the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), a group formed to assist the army in combatting jihadist factions, despite allegations of forced conscription for dissenters.

The continuous violence has positioned civilians in a perilous situation, caught between government aggression and jihadist reprisals.

In August 2024, JNIM militants killed at least 133 individuals in a swift and brutal attack, exemplifying the severe risks facing the community.

HRW is pressing for the International Criminal Court to initiate investigations into the atrocities committed, demanding accountability for all parties involved since September 2022.

As Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, distances itself from Western military alliances in favor of potential partnerships with Russia, the cycle of violence remains unabated.