Massacre in Burkina Faso: Survivors Speak Out Against Military Brutality
In a harrowing account of the deadliest mass killings in a decade of turmoil in Burkina Faso, survivors have come forward to share their stories of brutality at the hands of the military.
Daouda, a farmer who had lived for years in jihadist-controlled territory, recounted the horrific events that unfolded in his village in February. Forced under a baobab tree with dozens of other villagers, they were mercilessly shot at by soldiers.
“They shot at us all,” Daouda said, as he described how he lay on top of his young sons, trying to shield them from the bullets.
The mass killings in Daouda’s village, known as Soro, and a nearby hamlet, Nondin, were part of the ongoing conflict in Burkina Faso, which has been ravaged by Islamist insurgencies affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The country now tops the Global Terrorism Index, with tens of thousands dead and millions displaced.
However, in the fight against insurgents, Burkina Faso’s military has been accused of targeting civilians suspected of collaborating with jihadists. Survivors and human rights groups have alleged that soldiers often kill civilians on the spot, with little regard for innocent lives.
The government of Burkina Faso has opened an investigation into the killings, but has not admitted to the military’s involvement. Instead, they have suspended international news outlets for reporting on the atrocities.
The turmoil in Burkina Faso has not only led to a humanitarian crisis but also political instability, with mutinous soldiers seizing power in recent years. The current ruler, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has waged a brutal war against Islamist militants, enrolling civilian militia fighters and urging citizens to report suspected collaborators.
As the conflict rages on, civilians like Daouda and his family have been forced to flee their homes, leaving behind the horrors of the massacre. The survivors continue to grapple with the trauma of the violence that has torn their communities apart.
The international community has called for a proper investigation into the mass killings, but the authorities in Burkina Faso have largely ignored these calls. With the military junta cracking down on dissent and muzzling the media, the truth behind the atrocities remains shrouded in darkness.
As Daouda reflects on the events of that fateful day, he wonders if he will ever be able to return home. The scars of the massacre in Soro and Nondin run deep, leaving a trail of grief and loss in their wake.
May their souls rest in peace.
