In response to a Human Rights Watch report alleging the killing of at least 223 villagers in two attacks on February 25, Burkina Faso’s military-led government has vehemently denied the accusations.
Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo issued a statement late on Saturday, dismissing the claims as “baseless accusations” and expressing the government’s condemnation of them.
Ouedraogo emphasized that legal inquiries into the incidents at Nodin and Soro have been initiated.
Expressing surprise at Human Rights Watch’s swift attribution of blame before the conclusion of the ongoing inquiry, the minister criticized the organization for its presumptive stance.
Human Rights Watch had characterized the events as “among the worst army abuses in Burkina Faso since 2015,” linking them to a broader military campaign against civilians suspected of collaboration with Islamist armed groups.
In its defense, Burkina Faso highlighted its commitment to investigating reported human rights violations, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism efforts, through collaborative efforts with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The government’s response also included a critique of the media’s portrayal of the accusations, accusing it of attempting to undermine the country’s armed forces.
In a separate move reflecting the government’s stance, the BBC and Voice of America radio networks were suspended from broadcasting after airing the report implicating the army in attacks against civilians amid the fight against jihadists.
Burkina Faso has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency since 2015, resulting in a significant toll on civilian and military lives and triggering internal unrest, including two coups in 2022.
The situation underscores the complexity of the security challenges facing the West African nation under military rule.
