More than 1,800 civilians killed in Burkina Faso since Ibrahim Traoré's coup, rights group says
Ibrahim Traoré's coup in September 2022 has resulted in over 1,800 civilians killed in Burkina Faso. These deaths occurred across 57 documented incidents between January 2023 and August 2025. The military and allied militias are allegedly responsible for the majority of these fatalities. Human Rights Watch states that the scale of the violence now constitutes "war crimes and crimes against humanity."
The report identifies President Traoré and six senior military commanders as potentially liable under the doctrine of command responsibility. It also names five jihadist leaders who may be culpable for systematic abuses. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in December 2023 in the northern town of Djibo, where the military and allied militias allegedly killed more than 400 civilians. In August 2024, JNIM militants killed at least 133 people in a single two-hour span. Traoré previously stated that "individual freedoms [are] not superior to national freedom" and that "a nation is not built on indiscipline and disorder."
Human Rights Watch is urging the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into all parties involved. Human Rights Watch has formally called upon Burkina Faso's international partners.
Quick Summary
A new report exposes a brutal escalation of violence in Burkina Faso involving the military, allied militias, and jihadist groups. The report suggests the violence may constitute war crimes- raising questions about accountability.
Summary - read the full story for complete context.
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