Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Burkina Faso to urgently prioritize the protection of civilians amid its ongoing struggle with armed groups. In a report released on Tuesday, the organization highlighted that the government placed civilians at “unnecessary risk” during a recent attack by an armed group, which resulted in at least 133 fatalities in August.
The incident, one of the deadliest of the year, occurred in the central region of the country, where Burkina Faso has seen an increase in violence from armed groups. Villagers in the Barsalogho commune, located 80 km (50 miles) from the capital, Ouagadougou, were reportedly forced to assist security forces in digging trenches to protect outposts and local communities. Witnesses indicated that armed group fighters later opened fire on the villagers.
Many villagers, who did not receive compensation for their labor, expressed reluctance to assist due to fears of potential attacks. However, the report noted that they were reportedly coerced by military personnel through threats and physical force to complete the task.
The armed group claimed responsibility for the August 24 attack, stating it targeted the villagers because it viewed them as affiliated with the state. HRW confirmed the fatalities through video analysis and witness accounts, noting that numerous children were among the victims and at least 200 others were injured, describing the incident as “an evident war crime.”
Carine Kaneza Nantulya, HRW’s deputy Africa director, remarked that “the massacre in Barsalogho is an example of atrocities committed by armed groups against civilians, whom the government has put at unnecessary risk.” She urged authorities to prioritize civilian protection.
In response, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala rejected HRW’s assertions, stating that forced labor is prohibited by law and that accusations of military coercion in trench digging remain unproven.
Armed groups have killed thousands and displaced over two million people in Burkina Faso, with half of the country reportedly outside government control. Despite attempts to establish new security partnerships with Russia and neighboring countries in West Africa, the reliance on armed civilian groups known as Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland continues to pose risks for civilians, according to Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s senior Sahel researcher.
