HRW Accuses Burkina Faso Army of Involvement in Mass Killing of Over 130 Peul Civilian

Edition : Africa Eye

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Burkinabè army of orchestrating and participating in the massacre of more than 130 Peul civilians in March in the Solenzo region, western Burkina Faso. The allegations, published in a report on Monday, point to grave violations amid an already volatile security context in the Sahel.

The Peul (or Fulani) community, often stigmatized across the region, is frequently accused—often without concrete evidence—of links to jihadist groups. HRW’s findings come in the wake of disturbing videos circulated on social media showing bloodied bodies, which sparked widespread outrage both locally and internationally.

In response, HRW has urged the Burkinabè authorities to launch an independent investigation to clarify the events and ensure accountability.

The transitional government, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has denied any involvement in the massacre. However, the public prosecutor has opened an investigation into incitements to “exterminate” members of the Peul community, reflecting the heightened ethnic and security tensions in the country.

Burkina Faso has seen a surge in violence linked to non-state armed groups in recent years, with civilians often caught in the crossfire of counter-insurgency operations and intercommunal violence.