More than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in 2022, in violence that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The rights group said at least 1,837 civilians, including dozens of children, were killed in 57 documented incidents between January 2023 and August 2025.
HRW attributed the majority of the killings—1,255 deaths—to government forces and allied militias, while Islamist armed groups were blamed for the remainder.
The report said Traoré and six senior military commanders could bear responsibility under the doctrine of command responsibility and should be investigated. It also named five jihadist leaders as potentially culpable.
Burkinabé authorities have not yet responded to the latest findings, but have previously denied allegations of abuses by state forces.
The military government seized power promising to curb a decade-long insurgency by groups linked to al-Qaeda. However, HRW said security operations have increasingly targeted civilians.
One of the deadliest incidents cited in the report occurred in December 2023 in the northern town of Djibo, where more than 400 civilians were allegedly killed by the army and allied militias.
Survivors described widespread brutality and lasting psychological trauma. Witnesses recounted executions and indiscriminate violence during the attack.
The report also highlighted the role of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), a civilian militia supporting the army, which has been accused of abuses and forced recruitment.
At the same time, Islamist fighters linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) were accused of carrying out mass killings and targeting communities that refuse to cooperate with them. In one August 2024 attack, at least 133 people were killed within hours.
Civilians interviewed by HRW described being trapped between armed groups and government forces, facing threats from both sides.
HRW called on the International Criminal Court to open a preliminary investigation into alleged crimes committed by all parties since 2022. It also urged international partners to reconsider cooperation with Burkina Faso’s military.
Since coming to power, Traoré has shifted alliances away from Western partners, particularly France, and sought closer ties with Russia. Despite these changes, violence across the country has continued to escalate.