Human Rights Watch has connected pro-junta militias to a recent massacre in Burkina Faso, where numerous fatalities were reported. Government officials dismissed the allegations as misinformation, while HRW highlighted the severity of the situation involving the Fulani ethnic group. The ongoing conflict exacerbates humanitarian issues in the region, raising concerns over accountability and civilian safety.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has established a connection between pro-junta militias and a devastating massacre in western Burkina Faso that resulted in numerous fatalities. The human rights organization reported that videos circulating on social media depict armed individuals wearing militia uniforms, engaged in actions against civilians, including women and children. These horrific images show at least fifty-eight individuals appearing dead or in critical condition, with the actual death toll likely higher due to piled bodies.
In response to the allegations, Burkina Faso’s government spokesperson, Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo, dismissed the videos as part of a disinformation campaign intended to disrupt social unity. The spokesperson asserted that the militias and military were combating terrorists and had encountered women, children, and the elderly who were victims of being used as human shields. He claimed that approximately one hundred assailants were neutralized during these operations.
HRW highlighted that the victims seemed to belong to the Fulani ethnic group, which the authorities suspect of having allegiances with extremist factions linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at HRW, emphasized the need for accountability regarding the actions of pro-government militias in light of these alarming incidents. The event reportedly unfolded in and around the city of Solenzo on March 10 and 11, showcasing the identifiable uniforms of the Homeland Defence Volunteers (VDP).
As Burkina Faso grapples with an ongoing armed conflict that has persisted for nearly nine years, HRW similarly raised concerns over the severe crimes committed by security forces alongside allied militias and jihadist groups against an already afflicted population. The Sahel region, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, continues to deal with jihadist insurgencies originating from Mali approximately thirteen years ago.
Since ascending to power in a coup in 2022, Burkina Faso’s military government has faced scrutiny from human rights organizations regarding its national security measures. HRW and Amnesty International have criticized the junta for allegedly kidnapping and drafting dissenting voices, supported by the testimony of victims and civil society organizations. Moreover, UN and other human rights groups have also accused Malian and Burkinabe forces of heinous abuses against civilians suspected of association with extremist groups; both militaries have categorically denied these accusations.
In summary, Human Rights Watch has linked pro-junta militias to a recent massacre in Burkina Faso, which the government describes as a disinformation campaign. Videos reveal severe abuses against civilians, predominantly the Fulani ethnic group, as conflict intensifies. The military government faces increasing scrutiny for its actions conducted in the name of national security amidst ongoing humanitarian crises in the Sahel region. There is an urgent call for accountability and protection of the civilian population amid these developments.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
