A recent report by Human Rights Watch reveals that at least 130 civilians from the Fulani ethnic group were killed by Burkina Faso’s army and affiliated militias near the town of Solenzo in March. This incident was part of a broader military campaign that has led to significant civilian casualties and mass displacement within the Fulani pastoralist community in the affected region.
The report highlights that this military action was followed by retaliatory attacks from an Islamist group known as Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), which targeted villages believed to have aided the military. HRW’s Senior Sahel Researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, stated that initial viral video evidence of the violence only provided a partial view, but further investigations attributed primary responsibility for the killings to Burkina Faso’s military.
Witness testimonies collected by HRW described the involvement of hundreds of military personnel and drones, alongside a pro-government militia, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), during assaults on several towns in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. Disturbingly, most victims were reportedly vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly. A 44-year-old Fulani herder recounted the harrowing experience of losing eight family members and the ensuing flight of thousands of families across the border into Mali for safety, often facing violence from VDP militants along the way.
Burkina Faso’s government, which came to power via a military coup in 2022, has so far struggled to provide the stability it promised. Currently, over 60% of the country’s territory remains beyond government control, with reliance on poorly trained civilian militias further exacerbating ethnic tensions.
The report calls for an impartial investigation into the killings and accountability for those responsible. While the situation remains dire, HRW’s findings shed light on the urgent need for reform and support to affected communities, emphasizing a path towards accountability and peace in the region.