Burkina Faso: U.S., UK demand immediate probe of alleged civilian killings by military forces
The United States and Britain have on Monday urged the ruling junta in Burkina Faso to probe the killings of 223 civilians in two northern villages in February that were detailed in a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report.
Similarly, the two Western powers called on the military authorities to hold those responsible accountable for the bloodshed.
The governments of the U.S. and UK, in a joint statement, said they’re gravely concerned by reports of massacres of civilians by Burkinabe military forces in late February,” as they demand immediate investigations.
HRW investigation alleged the Burkinabe military killed about 223 villagers in February as part of a campaign against civilians accused of working with terrorists operating in the country.
In response to the report by the rights watchdog, the ruling junta in Burkina Faso suspended a number of Western and African media, including BBC Africa and the U.S.-funded Voice of America, over their coverage of the investigation.
The U.S. and UK also said they “strongly oppose the suspensions of media outlets.”
The ruling authorities have not responded to the U.S. and UK demands.
