Burkina Faso Government Denies Accusations of Civilian Massacres by HRW

OUAGADOUGOU—The Government of Burkina Faso has officially refuted allegations by Human Rights Watch (HRW) that its army was responsible for the massacre of 223 civilians, including more than fifty children, in the villages of Nodin and Soro on February 24, 2024.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the government expressed surprise and condemnation of HRW’s report, which it labeled as fictitious and part of a media campaign to discredit the nation’s military. The report, published by HRW on its website on April 25, 2024, was said to be based on telephonic interviews with 23 individuals, including eyewitnesses and local activists. The government criticized HRW for not contributing to the ongoing judicial investigations, which began with a press release from the Prosecutor of Faso at the Ouahigouya High Court on March 1, 2024.

The statement from the government further accused HRW of undermining the professionalism of the Burkinabè armed forces and attempting to tarnish the image of Burkina Faso. It underscored the ongoing efforts of the security forces in protecting civilians and combating terrorism, noting that any allegations of human rights abuses are systematically investigated. The government called for continued public support for the military and internal security forces, emphasizing their role in securing the nation against terrorist threats.