Over 1,800 killed since junta seized power in Burkina Faso, rights group says
Ibrahim Traoré seized power three years ago in Burkina Faso, resulting in more than 1,800 civilians killed in acts amounting to "war crimes and crimes against humanity", according to a new report. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says about 1,837 civilians, including dozens of children, were killed in 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025. HRW attributes 1,255 of the killings to the military and allied militias, with the rest blamed on Islamist militants.
HRW finds President Traoré and six senior military commanders "may be liable as a matter of command responsibility for grave abuses and should be investigated". HRW also says five jihadist leaders may be culpable. The report is based on analysis of open-source information, including photos, videos and satellite imagery, and interviews with witnesses and survivors. The report says, "All sides are responsible for the war crimes of willful killing, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, pillage and looting, and forced displacement." The report cites one of the deadliest incidents in December 2023 in which it says the military and allied militias killed more than 400 civilians in the northern town of Djibo. In August 2024, JNIM attackers "shot dead at least 133 people and injured more than 200 in fewer than two hours".
HRW is urging the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into the alleged crimes committed by all the parties since September 2022. HRW has also called on Burkina Faso's partners and donors to impose sanctions and to refrain from cooperating with the country's army.
Quick Summary
A new report alleges that over 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since the junta seized power three years ago. The report suggests these acts may amount to war crimes- but what does it all mean?
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