A Human Rights Watch report says more than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since the 2022 coup led by Ibrahim Traoré, alleging possible war crimes by both government forces and Islamist militants.
More than 1,800 civilians have been killed in Burkina Faso since the military takeover led by Ibrahim Traoré, according to a report by Human Rights Watch. The group said about 1,837 people died in 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025, with many of the killings attributed to government forces and allied militias.
The report alleges that Traoré and several senior commanders “may be liable as a matter of command responsibility for grave abuses and should be investigated”. It also states that jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda were responsible for some attacks targeting civilians.
HRW said the violence includes acts amounting to “war crimes and crimes against humanity”, adding that “all sides are responsible for the war crimes of willful killing, attacks on civilians and civilian objects, pillage and looting, and forced displacement”. The organisation urged the International Criminal Court to consider opening a preliminary investigation.