Civilian Casualties in Burkina Faso and Mali: A Troubling Trend

Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) indicates that in Burkina Faso and Mali, government forces and their allies have been responsible for three to four times as many civilian deaths as jihadist groups over the past two years. This alarming trend has emerged amid a surge in violence from jihadist factions, including the local al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The Sahel region, encompassing these two countries, has increasingly become a global hotspot for terrorism since 2021.

Both Burkina Faso and Mali are currently governed by military-led administrations that came to power through coups. The actions of their security forces have raised significant concerns regarding military discipline and the effectiveness of counterinsurgency efforts. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch, noted that the brutality exhibited by Burkinabe forces and allied militias appears to surpass that of the jihadist groups they are combating.

Eyewitness accounts from civilians reveal the extent of the violence. One resident from eastern Burkina Faso described a harrowing incident in July 2024, where military forces allegedly surrounded the village of Sakoani and killed numerous inhabitants. The individual reported seeing at least 100 dead bodies and stated, "When the army arrived in this village and saw that it was populated, they surrounded the entire village and they exterminated everything – every living being." Such testimonies highlight the severe impact of military operations on civilian populations.

In Mali, the use of drone strikes has escalated since the government began acquiring Turkish-made drones in 2022. These drone operations have contributed significantly to civilian casualties, with reports indicating that many killings have occurred as a result of these strikes. A local gold panner expressed fear over the unexpected nature of the drone attacks, stating, "We were surprised by the strikes, we were so scared."

Officials from both the Burkina Faso and Mali governments have previously denied allegations of extrajudicial killings, asserting that their military operations target "terrorists." However, the lack of responses to inquiries from Human Rights Watch and other organizations raises questions about accountability and transparency regarding military actions.

The ongoing violence and the high rate of civilian casualties complicate international relations, particularly for the United States, which seeks to improve ties with Sahel governments. The expulsion of French and other Western forces following the coups has further strained these relationships, making the situation in the Sahel increasingly precarious.

While ACLED provides a framework for understanding the scale of civilian casualties, the data is based on various sources, including social media and press reports, which may not capture the full extent of the situation. Additionally, the Burkina Faso government and JNIM have not provided comments on the allegations of violence, leaving gaps in the narrative.

• “When the army arrived in this village and saw that it was populated, they surrounded the entire village and they exterminated everything – every living being,” — Anonymous Resident, Burkina Faso

• “We were surprised by the strikes, we were so scared,” — Anonymous Gold Panner, Mali