HRW: Over 1,800 Civilians Killed in Burkina Faso Since 2022 Coup
A new report by Human Rights Watch finds that at least 1,837 civilians, including children, have been killed in Burkina Faso since the military takeover led by Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022. The study documents 57 deadly incidents between January 2023 and August 2025 and attributes most deaths to the junta’s forces and allied militias, with Islamist militants responsible for the remainder. The report urges investigations into President Traoré, six senior commanders, and several jihadist leaders for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. It highlights shocking episodes, such as a December 2023 massacre in Djibo that left over 400 civilians dead, and details survivors’ accounts of brutality and long-term psychological trauma. Human Rights Watch calls on the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary probe and urges Burkina Faso’s partners to consider sanctions and suspend cooperation with the military government. The findings underscore the widespread suffering and lack of accountability amid the ongoing jihadist insurgency.
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