March 20, 2025 | AfricaFirst.news
A recently surfaced video has raised serious allegations against government-aligned militias in Burkina Faso, with evidence suggesting their involvement in a mass killing of civilians in the town of Solenzo. Human Rights Watch, along with other independent watchdogs, has called for an immediate investigation into the incident, which is believed to have targeted members of the Fulani ethnic group. The Burkinabe government, however, has dismissed the allegations, denouncing what it describes as an attempt to sow ethnic discord.
The conflict in Burkina Faso has been marked by a brutal war against Islamist insurgents, but human rights organizations have consistently warned that government-backed militias have been engaging in extrajudicial killings under the pretext of counterterrorism. The Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), a militia force created to support the country’s armed forces, has been accused of carrying out targeted attacks against communities perceived to be sympathetic to jihadist groups. The Fulani, who have historically faced discrimination in the region, have often been victims of such military campaigns.
Eyewitness reports suggest that security forces and their allied militias conducted a raid on Fulani displacement camps in Solenzo, leading to the extrajudicial execution of several civilians. The government’s outright denial of involvement raises concerns over the lack of accountability, particularly in a country that has increasingly distanced itself from international oversight. Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s coup in 2022, Burkina Faso has expelled French military forces and restricted the operations of international human rights organizations, creating an environment where such alleged atrocities can go unpunished.
The implications of this latest development go beyond Burkina Faso’s internal crisis. If these allegations are substantiated, they could further isolate the country from international partners and complicate efforts to secure much-needed support in its fight against terrorism. The African Union and ECOWAS have yet to respond to these reports, but their silence would only reinforce concerns that regional organizations have lost their ability to hold military-led governments accountable.
The escalating violence in Burkina Faso highlights the dangerous trajectory the country is on. If the government continues to allow security forces and militias to act with impunity, it risks deepening ethnic divisions and fueling further instability. With extremist groups capitalizing on these fractures, Burkina Faso’s leadership must decide whether it will prioritize justice and stability or continue down the path of unchecked militarization.
