An investigation was opened after the “broadcast on social networks of a video of mutilation of a human body, by individuals dressed in military uniforms of the national armed forces (FAN)” of Burkina Faso, a country ruled by a military regime , indicated the general staff on Sunday in a press release.
“The competent services have been contacted in order to determine the authenticity and origin of this video, as well as the identities of the people concerned so that they can answer for their actions, if the facts are proven,” he said. continued.
On the video, nothing allows us to identify the place, the date or the actors, some of whom are wearing military uniforms.
In July, the Burkinabè army condemned acts of mutilation of corpses seen in videos widely relayed on social networks, perpetrated by people suspected of being soldiers and Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP, civilian auxiliaries ). The Mali army also stood out from a video showing similar acts of men in the uniform and insignia of the Malian Armed Forces (Fama).
“This unspeakable act is contrary to the military and moral values instilled in the personnel of the FAN as well as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) and transgresses the rules of engagement of the units on the ground,” indicated the state- major Sunday.
According to him, “all operations to reconquer national territory are carried out with the greatest respect for human rights.”
Regularly accused of extrajudicial executions, the Burkinabè army has always denied them, sometimes pointing to armed groups using military equipment.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the army several times. In April, she accused her of having executed at least 223 civilians, including 56 children at the end of February in the north of the country.
Burkina Faso, led by a military regime, is facing deadly jihadist attacks.
Since 2015, this violence attributed to armed movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group has left more than 26,000 dead, including more than 13,500 since the coup d’état of September 2022, bringing Captain Ibrahim Traoré to power.
They have also caused more than two million internal displacements.
Mr. Traoré had promised to make the fight against “terrorism” his “priority”.
