The Government of Burkina Faso has rejected a report published on April 2, 2026, by Human Rights Watch (HRW), describing it as inaccurate and misleading. In a statement, government spokesperson Gilbert Ouédraogo labelled the report a “fake” document filled with conjecture and baseless allegations.
The HRW report had claimed that government forces and their allies were responsible for killing more than twice as many civilians as terrorist groups since the current leadership assumed power in 2023. However, the Burkinabe authorities dismissed these assertions, questioning the credibility of the organization.
Officials further criticized HRW for lacking a physical presence in the country, arguing that it is disconnected from realities on the ground. The government also accused the organization of relying on selected sources allegedly incentivised to provide information that supports what it described as “imaginary and fanciful stories.”
Additionally, the authorities cited what they called “methodological shortcomings” in the report, suggesting it was designed to tarnish the image of national forces and portray them as violators of human rights to serve external interests.
Reaffirming its stance, the government insisted that its security forces operate professionally, prioritizing the protection of civilians and adherence to both national laws and international human rights obligations, while maintaining that the fight against terrorism remains a top national priority.