Civilians in Burkina Faso have accused the national army of preventing them from leaving government-held towns blockaded by jihadist rebels, forcing them to remain in life-threatening conditions with a lack of food and basic essentials. Insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have surrounded towns across the West African country, particularly those with military bases or hosting pro-government volunteer groups, cutting off most supplies.
More than a dozen civilians and aid workers have told The New Humanitarian that, in some of these places, soldiers are also preventing people from leaving, hoping to maintain an appearance that their fight against the rebels is succeeding. A resident of the besieged city of Djibo said they attempted to leave on a military convoy but a soldier refused, saying they had to be prepared to face death like the soldiers do every day.
Burkina Faso has faced a jihadist insurgency for over a decade, with many fighters being locals drawn in by social and economic marginalization and grievances against the state. The conflict escalated in 2022 after army Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup, promising to restore security through an all-out military campaign against the rebels. Traoré's administration claims to have recaptured significant territory and reduced internal displacement.
However, those claims are disputed, and the expansion of military operations has been accompanied by an increase in army attacks on civilians that rights groups say amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The government's drive to demonstrate progress has made it intolerant of dissent, and in some cases, hostile to those trying to flee their homes.
Civilians have described being trapped in towns under full-scale siege, with some developing survival techniques like urban farming and mutual aid. Others have described intermittent blockades or movement constraints due to jihadist checkpoints and explosive devices. It is unclear how many people remain in or have left blockaded towns, but millions are likely trapped.
Several sources have described recent problems trying to depart Djibo, a town in the north that has been subject to one of the country's longest-running and most severe sieges. Residents have said that soldiers have been stopping them from leaving, with some being interrogated and threatened with torture.
The alleged restrictions have been criticized by most sources, who say people in blockaded towns should be allowed to leave, especially given the severe hunger and survival on humanitarian airdrops and sporadic military convoys for supplies. Three people directly affected said they support the army's efforts to defend besieged towns, but most sources argue that civilians should not be trapped.
Key points
- Civilians in Burkina Faso accuse the national army of preventing them from leaving government-held towns blockaded by jihadist rebels.
- The conflict in Burkina Faso has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with millions likely trapped in blockaded towns.
- The government's drive to demonstrate progress in the fight against rebels has led to increased intolerance of dissent and hostility towards those trying to flee their homes.
