In a shocking request, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the military leadership of Burkina Faso to launch a thorough investigation into a recent massacre that reportedly resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians. Videos circulating on social media depict the disturbing scene in which soldiers and affiliated militias allegedly executed members of a nomadic group associated with an Islamist uprising in the Sahel region.
The HRW organisation cited footage from the 10th and 11th of March, showing horrors around Solenzo, with reports indicating at least 58 lives lost, including women, children, and the elderly. Witnesses noted armed men in militia uniforms standing amongst the deceased victims, with many seen with hands and feet bound, hinting at a possible higher death toll than documented.
Targeting ethnic Fulani herders, often blamed for collaboration with jihadists, HRW detailed the socio-economic frustrations that have led to Islamist recruitment amidst this community. Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s senior Sahel researcher, accused security forces of perpetrating severe crimes against a vulnerable population, demanding impartial investigations to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Reports indicate that the perpetrators included troops from battalions established to combat Islamist insurgency and local pro-junta militias. A source revealed the massacre was likely retaliation for earlier Islamist attacks in the region, exacerbating the cycle of violence and mistrust.
Though the military aims to project strength, with Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo denouncing the revealing videos as manipulative, he emphasised that major counter-terrorism operations are ongoing. The Prime Minister announced plans to bolster troop numbers by inviting 14,000 soldiers and civilian support staff, illustrating a desperate push against the jihadist threat that has claimed over 26,000 lives in Burkina Faso since 2015.
This turmoil, deep rooted since the Islamist insurgency began over a decade ago in Mali, has led many nations in the region, including Niger, to grapple with similar military takeovers, all under a banner of fighting extremism.
Human Rights Watch calls for an investigation into a massacre in Burkina Faso, where numerous civilians were allegedly killed by soldiers and militias. Videos depict the deaths of at least 58 people, primarily from the ethnic Fulani group, which faces stigma and violence. Authorities are accused of severe human rights abuses during counter-insurgency efforts, while the Prime Minister dismisses the videos as false narratives.
The horrific events in Burkina Faso have drawn attention to the ongoing violence and human rights abuses faced by civilians amidst the fight against jihadist groups. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the urgent need for accountability, as calls for investigations into alleged military actions gain momentum. The interconnectedness of political and social grievances in the Sahel underscores the challenges facing the region, as its leaders navigate a path towards peace, stability, and justice for its people.
Original Source: www.dw.com
