Over 100 Fulani Civilians Allegedly Killed by Burkina Faso Military, Says Human Rights Watch

More than 100 civilians died in March in western Burkina Faso. Human Rights Watch (HRW) says government troops and militias carried out the killings.

The violence took place near Solenzo, a town in the Boucle du Mouhoun region.

According to HRW, victims were mostly Fulani civilians. The Fulani are a pastoralist group living across West Africa. They are often accused by governments of supporting Islamist armed groups.

HRW says the Burkina Faso military and a militia group called Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) carried out the attacks.

“The VDPs shot at us like animals, while drones were flying over our heads,” said a 44-year-old Fulani herder from Solenzo. “Many women and children died because they could not run.”

HRW gathered witness accounts and video footage shared online. They say this proves state forces were involved. Earlier findings were not clear, but the new report points directly at the army.

The Burkinabé government earlier denied responsibility. It said reports were false and dangerous.

“We condemn the propagation, on social media, of images inducing hate and community violence, and fake information aimed at undermining social cohesion,” said a government spokesperson.

Mass Killings Trigger Fear and Reprisals

Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW’s lead Sahel researcher, said more violence followed the March killings.

“Further research uncovered that Burkina Faso’s military was responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians,” she said.

“These killings were followed by deadly reprisals by an Islamist armed group.”

“The government needs to impartially investigate these deaths and prosecute all those responsible,” she added.

After the killings, Fulani residents fled across the border into Mali.

“Today, in the whole province, there are no more Fulani,” said a 53-year-old man from Solenzo. “They all fled or were killed or taken hostage.”

“But the other ethnic communities remain.”

HRW said jihadist fighters from a group known as JNIM later entered the area. They targeted men they believed worked with the military.

“All the men had been executed in front of the health centre,” said a 60-year-old woman in Tiao village. “I counted up to 70 bodies.”

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in the Sahel

Burkina Faso’s security situation is worsening. A military junta took power in 2022 but has not brought stability.

The country of 23 million people is in crisis. Over 60% of its territory is now outside government control. More than 2.1 million people are displaced. Nearly 6.5 million need humanitarian aid.

The February–April operation near Solenzo involved hundreds of troops and drones.

Analysts say the military’s use of poorly trained civilian militias worsens ethnic tensions.

Rights groups say speaking out is dangerous. The junta has shut down independent reporting and imposed heavy censorship.

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