Human Rights Watch Accuses Burkina Faso Army of Massacre Against Fulani Ethnic Group
Human Rights Watch (HRW), one of the most prominent international NGOs focused on human rights, has leveled serious accusations against the Burkina Faso army, alleging involvement in the massacre of over 130 Fulani individuals in March 2025. This tragic incident occurred in the western region of Boucle du Mouhoun, specifically near the town of Solenzo.
The Fulani, known as one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, have found themselves at the center of this violent uproar, which HRW states was part of a military operation against the Islamist militant group Jamaat Nusrat al Islam wa al Muslimeen, which has links to al-Qaeda. During this same period, the group reportedly retaliated by killing another 100 civilians in villages they suspected of collaborating with the military.
Since 2022, Burkina Faso has been under the governance of a military junta following a coup, a regime led by General Ibrahim Traoré. Despite the junta's claims of restoring order, their authority does not extend across the entire territory of the country.
The allegations made by HRW are founded on testimonies from 27 witnesses to the violence, including two members of pro-government militias, as well as insights from journalists and civil society activists. The organization's investigation involved multiple sources of evidence, including 11 videos and social media posts that depicted the events surrounding the attacks.
As a consequence of the violence, there has been a significant exodus of Fulani people fleeing Burkina Faso to neighboring Mali, driven by fear for their safety and uncertainty about the future. This situation raises alarm regarding the ongoing human rights crisis in the region and highlights the complex interplay between ethnic tensions and military operations in Burkina Faso.
HRW's claims come amidst an already fraught political landscape in the country, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and justice in a region grappling with escalating violence and humanitarian concerns.
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