In a harrowing report, Human Rights Watch has uncovered evidence implicating pro-government militias in the massacre of civilians near Solenzo, Burkina Faso, on March 10 and 11, 2025. Footage released on social media depicts disturbing scenes of death and injury. The authorities are urged to investigate these atrocities thoroughly and bring all offenders to justice.
Videos reviewed by Human Rights Watch exhibit numerous casualties, including men, women, and children, some visibly injured and bound, alongside armed men in militia uniforms. Two local groups,
Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie and the Mahouna and Kouka self-defence groups, are identifiable among the videos. These militia members have a chilling presence, reportedly targeting the Fulani community amid escalating tensions with security forces.
Ilaria Allegrozzi of Human Rights Watch remarked, “The gruesome videos of an apparent massacre by pro-government militias in Burkina Faso underscore the pervasive lack of accountability of these forces.” Ongoing violence against civilians necessitates immediate government action to stop these militia groups and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The victims largely comprise ethnic Fulani, who have been recurrently targeted since security forces initiated operations renowned for their brutality. Despite alarming reports, the Burkinabè authorities have notably remained silent on the issue. Footage captured during the massacre illustrates the severity of the situation, with scenes of injured individuals and calls for further violence against the Fulani.
International news reports confirmed the alarming events surrounding Solenzo, where militant Islamist groups have been complicit in widespread civilian abuses in previous incidents, further complicating the landscape of violence. Following an uptick in armed group activities, the Burkinabè government has adopted more aggressive military measures, intensifying the cycle of violence against suspected insurgents.
In this dire context, Human Rights Watch highlights a disturbing trend wherein governmental forces and militias execute reprisals against civilians, effectively treating the entire Fulani population as potential threats. The humanitarian implications are grave, particularly for those trapped within this cycle of violence, who live in constant fear of impending attacks.
All parties engaged in the armed conflict are bound by international laws prohibiting attacks on civilians, and violations could warrant war crimes charges. Allegrozzi warned, “As the armed conflict in Burkina Faso enters its ninth year, security forces and their allied militias are committing serious crimes against an exhausted population without fear of consequence.” A strategic governmental response to address the militia’s involvement in these crimes is crucial to restore a semblance of justice and protect civilian lives.
Human Rights Watch has reported that pro-government militias in Burkina Faso are linked to a massacre of civilians in Solenzo on March 10-11, 2025. Videos show numerous casualties and abuses, particularly targeting the Fulani ethnic group. The report emphasizes the need for investigation and accountability to cease ongoing violence by these militia groups against civilians.
In summary, the situation in Burkina Faso shows a deeply troubling trend of violence and reprisal involving pro-government militias, particularly against the Fulani community. Human Rights Watch has called for urgent action from the Burkinabè government to investigate these crimes and uphold accountability. The ongoing conflict illustrates the need for a firmer stance on human rights violations in order to protect civilians from further atrocities and restore faith in governmental actions.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
