Hundreds Protest in Burkina Faso Over US Response to Alleged Army Massacre

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US embassy in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's capital, on Friday to express their outrage over Washington's reaction to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report accusing the Burkinabé army of massacring civilians. The report alleges that soldiers killed at least 223 people, including 56 children, in revenge attacks on two villages on February 25.

Why this matters: The alleged massacre and the government's response to it have significant implications for human rights and press freedom in Burkina Faso, and could further destabilize the region. The international community's reaction to the incident will also be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for how similar situations are handled in the future.

The protest was organized by the "Burkind Faangf meenga (liberation) federation of pan-Africanists." Demonstrators waved Russian and Burkinabé flags and chanted anti-imperialist slogans. Mahamadou Ouedraogo, the federation's spokesman, stated, "We have come to deliver a message to the Americans to put an end to these accusations against our armed forces who are defending the country at the cost of their lives."

The protest was sparked by a joint statement from the US and Britain, issued on Monday, expressing "grave concern" over the HRW report. The US and UK have urged the Burkinabé government to investigate the alleged massacres and hold those responsible accountable. However, the military rulers of Burkina Faso have dismissed the report as "baseless."

The incident highlights the tensions between the Burkinabé government and the international community over the country's human rights record. It is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the Burkinabé military's actions in the country's conflict with Islamist militants. Burkina Faso has been plagued by a jihadist insurgency since 2015, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians, troops, and police, and the displacement of two million people.

Press freedom has been under attack in Burkina Faso since the military regime led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power in September 2022. The government has suspended three foreign broadcasters (BBC, Voice of America, and TV Monde) for two weeks over their coverage of the HRW report. Authorities have also blocked access to the websites of several news outlets, including Deutsche Welle, The Guardian, Le Monde, Ouest-France, APA, and Ecofin.

The Burkinabé junta summoned the US chargé d'affaires, Eric Whitaker, and the UK high commissioner, Harriet Thompson, to discuss the international accusations. The junta expressed surprise that the US and UK, "usually accustomed to scientific rigor, react on the basis of a report with hasty conclusions." The Africa Coalition Francophone for the International Criminal Court has urged the ICC prosecutor to investigate human rights violations in Burkina Faso.

The military regime has resulted in self-censorship by journalists and media outlets, fearing attacks or reprisals. In November 2023, the military conscripted two critical journalists, Isaka Langani and Yacouba Ladji Bama. The authorities have also adopted new legislation giving the president the power to choose the head of the media regulatory body, further entrenching authority over the media sector.

As the situation in Burkina Faso continues to deteriorate, with the government cracking down on press freedom and facing accusations of human rights abuses, the international community is calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged massacres. Nompilo Simanje, IPI Africa Advocacy, and Partnership Lead, stated,"Burkina Faso authorities must stop stifling free press. It is particularly worrisome to do so under the guise of fighting terrorism or protecting the military. While the authorities have the responsibility to promote public security, it is equally important for them to uphold fundamental rights including media freedom and access to information."

Key Takeaways

• Hundreds protest outside US embassy in Burkina Faso over HRW report on alleged massacre.
• HRW report accuses Burkinabé army of killing 223 people, including 56 children, in revenge attacks.
• US and UK express "grave concern" over report, while Burkinabé government dismisses it as "baseless".
• Press freedom under attack in Burkina Faso, with suspensions, website blocks, and journalist arrests.
• International community calls for thorough investigation into alleged massacres and respect for media freedom.