HRW: Burkina Faso’s Military Killed Over 130 Fulani Civilians in Solenzo

At least 130 Fulani civilians were killed by Burkina Faso’s military and allied militias near Solenzo in March, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).  

The mass killings occurred amid a prolonged military campaign that caused severe civilian casualties and the widespread displacement of Fulani pastoralists, HRW stated on Monday.  

Following the attacks, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) launched retaliatory strikes on villages suspected of supporting the military.  

Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at HRW, remarked that viral videos depicting the atrocities by pro-government militias “told only part of the story.”  

“Further research uncovered that Burkina Faso’s military was responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians, which were followed by deadly reprisals by an Islamist armed group,” Allegrozzi added.  

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

HRW’s findings highlight the escalating violence and its devastating impact on civilians in the region.