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Burkina Faso’s military authorities have announced an investigation into a disturbing video allegedly depicting military volunteers dismembering a deceased individual while taunting the camera.
The military’s general staff confirmed that efforts are underway to authenticate the video and identify those involved so they can be held accountable if wrongdoing is established.
For nearly three years, Burkina Faso has been under military rule, with these leaders having assumed power with the promise to address persistent insecurity that has displaced around two million people.
Despite these assurances, attempts to combat armed groups and Islamist militants have largely been unsuccessful, as reports indicate that approximately 40% of the country remains under the control of such factions, according to assessments.
The controversial video emerged over the weekend, showing a body that had been gruesomely mutilated, devoid of its head and arms, and with the abdomen cut open.
In the video, a man exclaims in Dioula, a local language, “We beat them.” Another individual adds: “It will all end this year. May God bless the VDP,” referencing the Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP).
The VDP, a community militia formed into an official capacity by the government in 2020, has seen its role expand under the current military regime. This initiative has deep roots in the country, where armed community groups have traditionally played a role in local security.
While some individuals in the footage are seen wearing military uniforms, there are no identifiable details regarding their identities or the incident’s location and timing.
This disturbing footage is not an isolated incident; previous videos have surfaced showing alleged abuses by government-associated fighters. In July, disturbing clips surfaced online showing individuals, believed to be soldiers or volunteers, engaging in similar acts of violence against corpses, which the army then condemned publicly.
The armed forces have faced increasing accusations of serious human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings. Human Rights Watch reported earlier this year that more than 220 civilians, including over 50 children, were killed in a single incident attributed to the military. The government has not publicly addressed this claim.
The latest video has sparked widespread indignation nationwide, prompting the military to assert that it prioritizes the nation’s interests. In a statement released on Sunday, the military vowed to conduct all operations aimed at reclaiming territory with the utmost regard for human rights.
As a part of the Sahel region in West Africa, Burkina Faso finds itself at the center of a growing threat from various jihadist groups, including the Islamic State.
In recent developments, a significant contingent of Russian troops arrived in Burkina Faso in January, signalling a shift in the country’s foreign military partnerships, especially after the departure of French forces employed to combat insurgency.
The junta-led governments in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have increasingly sought Russian support in recent years amid deals that haven’t necessarily bolstered security; in fact, some have been linked to atrocities targeting civilians, as reported.
During the weekend, the foreign minister of Burkina Faso expressed approval for Russia, stating it is a more fitting ally than France, the former colonial power. As the influence of Western allies wanes in the Sahel region, the European Union’s envoy has affirmed the necessity of maintaining a connection, emphasizing the significant geopolitical shifts affecting broader Western Africa and beyond.
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