Recent reports have brought attention to three military drone strikes conducted by Burkina Faso’s government, which were reported to be targeting Islamist fighters. These strikes took place between August and November 2023 and resulted in significant civilian casualties in crowded markets and a funeral, according to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
HRW’s report indicates that a minimum of 60 civilians lost their lives, with numerous others injured, due to the three separate drone strikes. The incidents took place in crowded markets in Bouro, a funeral gathering in Bidi, and a market near Boulkessi, spanning both Burkina Faso and Mali. The Burkina Faso military allegedly used Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, equipped with MAM-L laser-guided bombs, known for their precision. The report suggests that these actions may have violated laws-of-war prohibitions against attacks that fail to distinguish between civilian and military targets, potentially constituting war crimes.
Human Rights Watch has called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation by the Burkinabe government into the drone strikes. Despite HRW’s attempts to engage with the Burkina Faso authorities, a letter sent on December 20, 2023, detailing the findings and seeking responses to specific questions, received no official response. The report relies on eyewitness accounts, including 23 individuals who witnessed the strikes, alongside an analysis of photographs, videos, and satellite imagery.
Burkina Faso has been under increased scrutiny for alleged human rights violations since the 2022 coup that put current President of the Transition of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, in power, leading to the country’s suspension from the African Union. Alleged violations include an ethnic killing involving a volunteer militia group and potential government and military involvement in a massacre. The President has also canceled the upcoming 2024 elections after claiming the country was “at war”.
The HRW’s report on Burkina Faso’s alleged perpetration of drone strikes on civilian targets adds to the mounting concerns about the human rights situation in the country. Whether legal scrutiny will lead to changes on the ground remains to be seen.