- Since early 2023, the national army of Burkina Faso, supported by allied militias and an Al-Qaeda-affiliated insurgent group, has been responsible for the deaths of over 1,800 civilians and the forced displacement of tens of thousands.
- The ruling military junta is directly involved in heinous abuses while failing to prosecute perpetrators from any side, simultaneously suppressing information to hide the extent of civilian suffering.
- International partners and regional organizations must pressure Burkina Faso authorities to address these severe violations and ensure genuine legal accountability.
Recent findings reveal that the military forces of Burkina Faso, along with their paramilitary partners and the GSIM (an Al-Qaeda-linked group), have carried out systematic killings of more than 1,800 non-combatants since 2023. These acts, which include the ethnic cleansing of Fulani civilians by government-aligned forces, represent both war crimes and crimes against humanity. High-ranking officials across all factions may face legal responsibility for these actions.
A comprehensive 341-page report titled “No One Will Escape” details the catastrophic toll this conflict has taken on the population. Investigators examined 57 specific incidents involving the Burkinabè military, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM or JNIM) since the current military government seized control in September 2022.
The scale of these atrocities is horrifying, yet the global community has largely ignored the crisis. The junta is not only perpetrating violence but is also actively blocking the flow of information to conceal the reality of the war. Researchers conducted over 450 interviews across Burkina Faso, Bénin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mali, supplementing their work with satellite imagery and audiovisual analysis to identify the commanders responsible.
“No One Will Escape”
War crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all sides in Burkina Faso
Under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traoré, the military administration has intensified its crackdown on political rivals, independent media, and peaceful dissent. This environment of intimidation has made it increasingly difficult to track the true human cost of the ongoing insurgency that began in 2016. While GSIM has terrorized civilians and looted property, the government’s counter-insurgency efforts have frequently devolved into retaliatory massacres against communities suspected of supporting the rebels.
One of the most brutal episodes occurred in December 2023 near Djibo, where the military and its allies killed over 400 people during Operation Tchéfari 2. Survivors described scenes of indiscriminate gunfire where even children were targeted. Furthermore, the systematic targeting of Fulani (Peul) populations has led to the ethnic cleansing of entire regions. In the village of Bassé, militias executed 13 residents, including women and children, leaving their bodies bound and riddled with bullets.
On the other side, GSIM has used extreme violence to maintain territorial control. In August 2024, the group slaughtered at least 133 people in Barsalogho, accusing the town of collaborating with the VDP. Witnesses reported that the attackers spared no one, killing family members in their homes and fields.
Questions and Answers: War Crimes in Burkina Faso
A breakdown of the legal implications of the recent findings regarding all warring parties.
The GSIM has also implemented sieges on dozens of communities, cutting off food and medical supplies, which has led to widespread starvation. They have further crippled the country by destroying water sources, communication networks, and bridges. According to legal standards, both the government and the insurgents are guilty of intentional homicide, pillaging, and forced displacement.
Responsibility for these actions extends to the highest levels of command. President Ibrahim Traoré and six top military leaders should be investigated for their roles. Similarly, GSIM leader Iyad Ag Ghaly, already wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes in Mali, along with four of his commanders, must be held accountable for the atrocities committed in Burkina Faso.
Currently, there is a total lack of justice for victims. National institutions are viewed with distrust, and government officials consistently dismiss or downplay reports of military abuse. International actors, including the United Nations, African Union, and European Union, are urged to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible. Furthermore, the ICC Prosecutor should launch a preliminary investigation into the war crimes and crimes against humanity documented since September 2022 to break the cycle of impunity.
