A new report by Human Rights Watch has revealed that more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since the military seized power in 2022, raising serious concerns over escalating violence and possible war crimes.
The report documents at least 1,837 civilian deaths across 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025. According to the findings, government forces and allied militias were responsible for the majority of the killings, accounting for about 1,255 deaths, while Islamist armed groups were blamed for the remaining casualties. The scale and pattern of these attacks suggest widespread abuses by all parties involved in the conflict.
Burkina Faso has been battling a worsening insurgency for over a decade, driven by extremist groups linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State. When Ibrahim Traoré took power in a September 2022 coup, he pledged to restore security and stabilize the country.
However, Human Rights Watch says the situation has instead deteriorated, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire.
The report accuses all sides of committing serious violations, including deliberate killings, attacks on civilian infrastructure, forced displacement, and looting—acts that may amount to war crimes under international law. It also suggests that Traoré and several senior military commanders could be held accountable under the principle of command responsibility, alongside identified leaders of jihadist groups.
One of the most shocking incidents highlighted occurred in December 2023 in the northern town of Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were allegedly killed by government forces and allied militias.
Witnesses described scenes of extreme brutality, with survivors recounting indiscriminate shootings and orders to ensure no one was left alive. Many victims’ families continue to suffer lasting psychological trauma.
Civilians in Burkina Faso now face threats from both sides. Islamist groups, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin, have been accused of targeting communities through violence and intimidation, especially those suspected of cooperating with the government.
Meanwhile, pro-government militias such as the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland have also been implicated in reprisal attacks and abuses.
Human Rights Watch warns that civilians are effectively trapped, with no safe refuge. Many live in constant fear, unable to trust either state forces or armed groups.
The organization is calling on the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into alleged crimes committed since the coup. It also urges international partners to reassess their support for Burkina Faso’s military government, including possible sanctions.
As violence continues to escalate across West Africa, rights groups warn that without accountability and stronger international action, civilians will remain the primary victims of a deepening and protracted conflict.
