Burkina Faso: Human Rights Watch or an instrument of imperialist manipulation for destabilisation purposes
The latest report from Human Rights Watch, released on Wednesday, highlights the dire living conditions of those affected by Islamist armed groups in Burkina Faso. However, this report is seen by many as yet another calculated effort to damage the image of the transitional government led by President Ibrahim Traoré.
Claiming to be grounded in factual evidence, the report paints a grim and desperate picture of the country’s security situation, placing responsibility on the Burkinabe state for the deaths of over thousands of people, including roughly 15,500 since the military coup of September 2022.
The report’s narrative must be scrutinized for its clear bias, as it seems to be part of a broader strategy aimed at destabilizing Burkina Faso. This strategy is allegedly backed by certain Western powers, with France taking a leading role.
Human Rights Watch, while presenting itself as a defender of human rights, has been accused of regularly offering exaggerated and distorted interpretations of events on the ground.
These reports are perceived as tailored to align with the political and geopolitical interests of foreign powers intent on derailing any real attempt at African sovereignty.
Despite these external pressures, the transitional government under President Traoré has been engaged in a relentless battle against terrorism, fighting in extraordinarily challenging circumstances.
Confronted with well-organized Islamist armed groups supported by transnational networks, the Burkinabe armed forces have displayed remarkable courage and determination in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity. Progress, though complex, is undeniable.
Yet rather than acknowledging these significant efforts, Human Rights Watch’s report shifts the focus, presenting a skewed narrative that exploits the suffering of civilians caught between the defense forces and the terrorists.
The true aim of this report, many believe, is not to shed light on the plight of the people but to discredit President Traoré’s leadership, portraying him as incapable of managing the security crisis.
Such a portrayal seems to serve the interests of Western powers who are wary of African governments striving for independence from foreign interference and aiming to chart their own course toward sovereignty.
The Burkinabe people must remain vigilant against these tactics of manipulation. The true threats to Burkina Faso’s stability are not those fighting for its security and development, but rather external forces that seek to sow doubt, division, and confusion for the sake of maintaining their influence.
By issuing reports that some view as misleading, Human Rights Watch is perceived as merely echoing the agenda of those powers intent on controlling the narrative and subverting the country’s progress.
Maurice K.ZONGO
