In February 2024, Burkina Faso experienced one of the most severe atrocities in its recent history. The northern Yatenga province became the site of mass killings, where at least 223 civilians, including 56 children, were executed. This massacre, carried out by the Burkinabè military, has drawn global outrage and highlighted the growing complexity of the country’s internal conflict. With accusations of civilian collaboration with Islamist groups, retaliatory actions, and increasing foreign involvement—particularly from Russia—the situation in Burkina Faso has reached a new level of crisis.
On February 25, 2024, soldiers from Burkina Faso’s military descended upon two small villages, Nondin and Soro, located in the northern Yatenga province. In Nondin, 44 civilians, including 20 children, were executed. Nearby in Soro, 179 civilians were killed, including 36 children. Witnesses described military convoys arriving in the early morning, as soldiers went door-to-door, ordering residents out of their homes. Villagers were gathered in groups, where they were indiscriminately shot. Many who attempted to flee or hide were also gunned down.
Survivor accounts paint a picture of extreme brutality. A 50-year-old farmer from Nondin recalled, “They [the soldiers] said, ‘Out! Come out! You support the jihadists! You’ll see!’” The massacre appeared to be a form of collective punishment for the villagers’ alleged failure to report jihadist movements. Several survivors reported that the soldiers accused them of aiding Islamist fighters, likely in retaliation for an earlier attack on a nearby military camp by Islamist militants.
The killings in Nondin and Soro are part of a broader trend of escalating violence in Burkina Faso, where Islamist insurgents and government forces have increasingly targeted civilians in their conflict. While Burkina Faso’s military leadership has claimed that they are defending the nation against Islamist extremists, international observers, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have condemned the actions of the military as potential crimes against humanity.
The massacre in February 2024 is part of a larger pattern of violence between Burkina Faso’s military and Islamist armed groups, a conflict that has escalated significantly since the military coup in 2022. The military junta, which took power following the coup, promised to stabilize the country and suppress the jihadist insurgency. However, rather than restoring peace, the military’s heavy-handed tactics have often deepened the conflict, drawing criticism from international human rights groups.
Civilians are frequently caught in the crossfire between the military and Islamist fighters. According to HRW, the killings in Nondin and Soro are not isolated incidents but part of a wider campaign by the military to target civilians accused of collaborating with jihadists. This tactic has led to the deaths of countless innocent people, while also fostering resentment and further instability in regions already suffering from violence and poverty.
The situation has become particularly dire in northern Burkina Faso, where Islamist groups have gained significant control. These groups, which often include affiliates of Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, have exploited the region’s economic and political marginalization to recruit new members. In response, the military has intensified its operations, often with little regard for civilian casualties.
The killings in Nondin and Soro have provoked outrage both within Burkina Faso and internationally. HRW, which conducted an investigation based on interviews with witnesses and survivors, has called for an urgent United Nations-backed investigation into the massacres. In a report published in April 2024, HRW described the killings as “crimes against humanity” and urged the international community to hold the Burkinabè military accountable for its actions.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the Burkinabè government has so far been dismissive. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, the country’s communications minister, rejected the HRW report, calling it “baseless” and accusing HRW of fabricating evidence. While the government has announced an investigation into the killings, many observers are skeptical about the prospects for an impartial and thorough inquiry, given the military’s control over the country’s political apparatus.
Public prosecutor Aly Benjamin Coulibaly initially put the death toll from the massacres at 170, while appealing for witnesses to come forward. However, the government’s response to international criticism has been defensive, with authorities blocking access to HRW’s website and suspending the broadcasts of several international media outlets, including the BBC and Voice of America.
Complicating matters further is the recent arrival of Russian military support in Burkina Faso. Since January 2024, Russian paramilitary forces have been stationed in the country, providing military training and security services. While there is no direct evidence linking Russian troops to the February massacres, their presence reflects Burkina Faso’s shifting alliances.
In recent years, Burkina Faso, like other countries in the Sahel region, has distanced itself from traditional Western allies, such as France and the United States. Following the 2022 military coup, the new junta sought new sources of military support, turning to Russia. Russian private military companies (PMCs), including the notorious Wagner Group, have been active in the region, and their presence has fueled concerns about the militarization of the conflict and the potential for further human rights abuses.
While Russian troops have not been directly implicated in the killings, their involvement raises questions about the impact of foreign military forces in Burkina Faso’s conflict. Despite Russia’s promises to help combat Islamist insurgents, violence in the country has continued to escalate. Some observers argue that the arrival of Russian forces has merely shifted the balance of power without addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, corruption, and political marginalization.
The deployment of Russian troops in Burkina Faso has also had significant geopolitical implications. The country’s shift away from Western military partnerships towards Russia mirrors broader regional trends, particularly in Mali and Niger. All three countries have formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a new bloc that has openly rejected Western intervention and instead seeks support from Russia.
This realignment has been fueled by growing anti-French sentiment across the Sahel, where many see France’s military presence as a continuation of colonialism. Pro-Russian demonstrations in Ouagadougou, where protesters waved both Burkinabè and Russian flags, reflect this growing sentiment. Russian disinformation campaigns have also played a role in cultivating public support for Moscow’s involvement in the region.
However, while some Burkinabè view the Russian presence as a potential solution to the country’s security woes, others remain skeptical. The violence continues to escalate, and more than a third of the country is now under the control of Islamist groups. Despite Russian reinforcements, Burkina Faso’s security forces have been unable to stem the tide of insurgent attacks.
The international response to the massacres in Burkina Faso has been mixed. Human rights organizations, including HRW and Amnesty International, have called for investigations into the military’s actions and for international pressure to be applied to the Burkinabè government. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, visited Burkina Faso in March 2024 and reported receiving “assurances” from President Ibrahim Traoré that the government would ensure that security forces comply with international humanitarian laws. However, no concrete actions have been taken by the UN to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Western governments, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have expressed concern over the killings, calling for a thorough investigation. However, their influence in Burkina Faso has waned since the military coup, and the Burkinabè government has increasingly disregarded Western criticism, viewing it as interference in its internal affairs.
The African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have similarly condemned the violence but have been criticized for failing to take strong action. The AU, which visited Burkina Faso in July 2023, pledged to increase humanitarian support but has not addressed the issue of military impunity. ECOWAS, for its part, has been focused on broader regional security concerns and has not taken specific measures to address the massacres.
One of the most significant barriers to accountability for the February 2024 massacres has been the Burkinabè government’s crackdown on media outlets. After HRW published its report, the government blocked access to its website and temporarily suspended several international broadcasters, including the BBC, Voice of America, and Radio France Internationale. This censorship has made it difficult for both domestic and international audiences to access reliable information about the killings.
Media restrictions in Burkina Faso are part of a broader trend of government efforts to control the narrative surrounding the conflict. Local journalists face significant risks when reporting on sensitive issues, and many have been forced into self-censorship due to fears of government reprisals. International media outlets have also been targeted, with several foreign journalists expelled from the country in recent months.
The lack of independent reporting from conflict zones like Burkina Faso makes it challenging for human rights organizations to gather evidence of abuses and for the international community to respond effectively. This information vacuum has allowed the Burkinabè military to operate with impunity, knowing that their actions are unlikely to be subjected to public scrutiny.
The February 2024 massacres in Nondin and Soro mark a new low in Burkina Faso’s protracted conflict. With the military targeting civilians, Islamist insurgents gaining ground, and foreign actors like Russia becoming increasingly involved, the country is at a crossroads. The international community faces a difficult challenge: how to support peace and stability in Burkina Faso while ensuring that those responsible for atrocities are held accountable.
As the crisis deepens, the need for a coordinated international response becomes more urgent. Human rights organizations have called for the establishment of a UN-backed investigative mechanism to probe the February killings and other alleged abuses by the military. At the same time, pressure must be applied to the Burkinabè government to ensure that media freedom is restored and that journalists can report on the conflict without fear of reprisal.
While foreign military assistance from Russia may provide short-term security gains for the Burkinabè government, it is unlikely to address the underlying causes of the conflict. Long-term stability will require a comprehensive approach that includes political reforms, economic development, and efforts to address the grievances of marginalized communities. Without such measures, Burkina Faso risks descending further into violence and instability.
The massacre of civilians in Nondin and Soro in February 2024 is a tragic reminder of the human toll of Burkina Faso’s ongoing conflict. As the military and Islamist groups continue to battle for control, ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of the violence. The international community must act swiftly to ensure accountability for these atrocities and to support efforts to restore peace in the region. Only through a combination of diplomatic pressure, humanitarian aid, and a commitment to human rights can Burkina Faso hope to emerge from this crisis.
