This article reports on a recent video circulating on social media of an alleged government allied militia mascaraing civilians in Burkina Faso. This was reported on by the Human Rights Watch. The footage is reported to show security forces and militia members conducting an operation in the Solenzo countryside targeting displaced Fulani communities in an alleged retaliatory attack. This adds to the recurring violence in Burkina Faso mainly from extremist groups and the governments counterinsurgency efforts. The Military Junta is struggling to stabilize the country after their power seizure. Now close to 60% of the countries territory is out of the governments direct control.
This is a prime example of a power struggle inside of a country after military control. The massacres in the country side are a prime misuse of government resources and shows an ineptitude of a government structure to work properly. The implication of government involvement can lead credence to the claims of insurgents. This is not the first time this has happened and previously the UN has called for investigations into deaths of people inside of Burkina Faso. The human rights violations inside of Burkina Faso are pressing and would need an IGO like that of the UN to intervene potentially to stop blood shed at least temporarily.
This relates to the forms of armed conflict that we have discussed previously in this class including asymmetric warfare and how the government can support militias and other armed groups. This can also be an example of poor counter insurgency behaviors. Actions like this can embolden insurgents to be more hostile. The alleged government involvement may lead to IGOs such as the UN to intervene or investigate if this conflict ever cools down and potential war crimes charges making their way to this country but this would only happen after the fighting stops which isn’t likely to happen for a while.