Civilian casualties increase in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, there has been a stark increase in civilian killings by local security forces. The 32-year-old farmer documents the horrifying incidents involving women, infants, and children in his village, emphasizing the brutality and ruthlessness of the perpetrators. The farmer reports that more than a dozen of his relatives were killed in an attack by security forces on November 5, who used pickup trucks, guns, and drones for their attack. He took a series of photos hiding in a neighbor’s compound as proof of the carnage before fleeing the next morning.

A U.N. report and two other survivors’ accounts corroborate the farmer’s narrative. The violence in Burkina Faso, primarily led by the junta, is part of their desperate attempt to quell a growing jihadi insurgency, with attacks often being perpetrated under the guise of counterterrorism. These violent attacks have led to unpunished and unreported casualties, including the killing of children by soldiers last year. Burkina Faso has experienced an increase in civilian murders by security forces by 70% from 2022 to 2023, with around 735 people killed.

The government has failed to comment on the incidents and has previously denied any involvement in the killings. The survivors who have spoken to AP are certain that the men involved were security forces, given their uniform and equipment, which is used solely by the military. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Burkina Faso’s prosecutor’s office has yet to provide any updates on the investigation four months after its initiation.

Many believe that the attack may have been prompted due to the security forces thinking villagers were colluding with the extremists. The junta, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré since the September 2022 coup, has been accused of threatening rights groups, journalists, and conducting civilian attacks, which potentially qualify as war crimes under international law. They consist of military drone strikes late last year that targeted Islamic fighters, an act which allegedly killed at least 60 people at two markets and a funeral in Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali.

Apart from causing fear, their presence has also led to an increased number of civilian deaths. Despite the severity of the situation, the U.S. continues to provide assistance to Burkina Faso, albeit with some cutbacks and suspensions. The third survivor stated that villagers were accused of working with the jihadis as they refused to join the volunteer fighters serving alongside Burkina Faso’s military, showing that civilians are often caught in the crossfire. This has caused displacement, severe hunger, and fear amongst residents. The survivors call upon the government to bring justice while fearing the possibility of another attack.