In March 2025, Burkina Faso’s army and allied militias reportedly killed at least 130 civilians from the Fulani ethnic group near the western town of Solenzo, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The killings occurred during a military campaign involving special forces and pro-government militias, namely the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). Witnesses described attacks on multiple villages in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, with military aircraft observed overhead, suggesting direct command involvement. Many victims were women, children, and the elderly. The violence led to mass displacement, forcing thousands to flee, with some encountering more attacks during their escape. The military of Burkina Faso has utilized mass recruitment tactics, deploying civilians in poorly trained militias, worsening ethnic tensions. The HRW’s report is based on interviews with survivors, militia members, journalists, and civil society representatives. The government of Burkina Faso has not responded to these allegations.
This is a very important piece of journalism as it sheds light on the current humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso. The state-sponsored violence is ethnically-targeted, which could be a war crime. At a time when the country is facing insurgencies from jihadist groups, the government’s reliance on community militias like the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) has opened the door to abuses of power and human rights violations. If the people of Burkina Faso cannot distinguish between jihadist brutality and government brutality, support for state institutions and legitimacy will crumble. The report by the HRW is based on first hand accounts of the violence, giving it credibility.
The government of Burkina Faso is likely to continue ignoring the HRW report, and if it fails to investigate or acknowledge these killings, it will further alienate marginalized communities and increase the likelihood of future violence against minorities, especially the Fulani. If there is any recognition of the report by the government, they may hold a faux investigation and come up with nothing. Either way, the VDP is likely to not face any repercussions for their actions.