Burkina Faso Army Accused of Torturing and Killing Civilians
Burkina Faso’s military and allied militias are accused of torturing and killing civilians, particularly Fulani families, in a retaliatory attack in the Solenzo area. Accounts indicate dozens have died, with disturbing video evidence depicting the aftermath. This incident is part of an ongoing pattern of violence against civilians amid an insurgency that has claimed over 26,000 lives since 2015.
Burkina Faso’s military and affiliated militias stand accused of committing severe human rights violations, including the alleged torture and massacre of civilians during a retaliatory strike in the western region of the country. According to a local source and a representative from an NGO, entire families, particularly members of the Fulani community, were killed in the Solenzo area. The estimated death toll reaches dozens, as multiple reports and videos evidence the consequences of these violent actions.
Grim footage circulating online depicts bloodied corpses, predominantly women, children, and the elderly, lying on the ground, often with their limbs bound. Some videos feature armed individuals appearing to belong to local self-defense groups, who are seen taunting the dead while transporting the bodies using a three-wheeled vehicle. These events reportedly unfolded following an earlier attack in early March, which led military forces to accuse the Fulani of harboring terrorists responsible for violence in the region.
As the Fulani attempted to escape the violence in Solenzo, reports indicate that they were apprehended by soldiers and volunteer fighters, leading to their torture and execution. A human rights representative confirmed the veracity of the footage to AFP and noted that these incidents reflect the military’s repeating strategy of assaulting Fulani civilians in vengeance. Burkina Faso has been engulfed in a harsh insurgency for over ten years, fueled by spillover violence from neighboring Mali and Niger.
In a unified commitment, military-led governments in these countries have declared their intent to combat insurgents; however, human rights organizations have condemned security forces for their apparent and widespread human rights abuses. Official statistics reveal that since 2015, over 26,000 lives have been lost due to the conflict, with more than half of those deaths occurring after the military coup in Burkina Faso in September 2022. Moreover, reports from Human Rights Watch estimate that the Burkinabe army and its affiliated militias have killed at least 1,000 civilians from January to July 2024.
The allegations against Burkina Faso’s military and militias underscore ongoing human rights violations amidst a prolonged insurgency, highlighting the tragic situation of the Fulani community and the severe impact of armed conflict. Reports of torture and mass killings reflect the broader issue of human rights abuses associated with military operations and the urgent need for accountability and protection of civilians in conflict zones. The escalation of violence and the loss of civilian lives call for immediate attention and intervention from the international community.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
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