Jihadist Groups Allegedly Behind Burkina Faso Civilian Massacres

Burkina Faso’s ruling military regime has accused jihadist groups of carrying out massacres against civilians in the north of the country.

The government has urged people to deny the images of abuses committed by armed men portrayed as Burkina Faso soldiers.

Since December, several videos have been widely posted on social networks accusing the army of committing acts of violence against civilians in the Djibo area.

The government spokesman and Minister for Communication, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, denounced these videos as “treacherous fabrications” designed to discredit the Defence and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP), who put up heroic resistance against terrorists who failed to take control of the Djibo camp on 26 November.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that at least 40 civilians were killed and 42 wounded.