Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Burkina Faso’s junta to conduct an impartial investigation into an alleged massacre of civilians this month, as disturbing videos circulate on social media.
The footage, dismissed by authorities as manipulative, reportedly shows dozens of bound and lifeless bodies, including women, children, and the elderly, in and around the western city of Solenzo.
The HRW attributed the killings to government forces and allied militias, claiming the victims were primarily Fulani civilians, a group often accused of links to insurgents.
The rights watchdog identified at least 58 bodies in the videos but warned the actual toll could be higher.
A local source told AFP that whole families were slaughtered between March 10 and 11 by soldiers from the 18th rapid intervention battalion and self-defence militias.
Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo dismissed the allegations, insisting the army was focused on counter-terrorism efforts.
He also announced plans to expand the military and civilian defence militias, with 14,000 new soldiers and thousands of support staff to combat violence.
Burkina Faso has been gripped by escalating insurgency since 2015, with over 26,000 people killed, according to ACLED.
The HRW reports that at least 1,000 civilians were slain by the military and its auxiliaries between January and July 2024 alone.
