Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Burkina Faso’s government of exposing civilians to unnecessary risks of jihadist attacks after the massacre of at least a hundred people in the country’s north in late August.
In a report published Tuesday, HRW details the August 24 attack in Barsalogho, where around 100 civilians, including “dozens of children,” were killed in what is described as the bloodiest incident in Burkina Faso’s history.
The attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated organization.
The report notes that HRW verified the death toll through video analysis and witness testimonies, also indicating at least 200 injuries.
However, the Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho (CJB), an organization of victims’ relatives, has reported over 400 deaths. Burkinabe authorities have not released official casualty figures.
According to survivors and witnesses, Burkinabe soldiers allegedly forced men to dig defensive trenches without pay, ignoring reports of armed men nearby.
When questioned by HRW, the Ministry of Justice stated these forced labor claims are “not proven” but confirmed an investigation by the High Court of Kaya.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s takeover in September 2022, Burkinabe authorities have occasionally announced investigations into jihadist attacks, though HRW claims they have yet to report any arrests or convictions.
The ongoing violence, linked to jihadist groups, has resulted in over 26,000 deaths in Burkina Faso since 2015, with more than 13,500 occurring after the 2022 coup, according to data from the NGO Acled.