Burkina Faso's Council of Ministers has adopted a draft law on April 24 to create a 100,000-strong military reserve by the end of 2026. Defense Minister Célestin Simporé framed the move as a way to mobilise citizens to respond to security threats and "embed Patriotic Defense within a logic of citizen participation".
Burkina Faso's military already relies on tens of thousands of civilian auxiliaries known as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (Volontaires pour la défense de la patrie, VDPs). In several reports, Human Rights Watch has documented how VDPs have committed numerous grave abuses, including summary executions, looting, and forced displacement of minority communities.
Concerns centre on limited training, weak oversight, and the risk of blurring lines between civilians and combatants. The armed groups could retaliate by attacking communities. Many critics argue that expanding these forces won't resolve insecurity unless they address governance gaps and protect civilians.
Burkina Faso: Burkina Faso's Dubious Military Reserve Plan
HRW, 28 April 2026
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Burkina Faso: Army Behind Most Civilian Deaths - Report
DW, 2 April 2026
Human Rights Watch says Burkina Faso's security forces and allied militias "appear to be more brutal and violent" than militant groups. The Fulani ethnic group has reportedly been… Read more »
A new Human Rights Watch report has revealed that more than 1,800 civilians have been killed since Ibrahim Traoré seized power in Burkina Faso three years ago in acts amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to the report, approximately 1,837 civilians, including dozens of children, were killed in 57 incidents between January 2023 and August 2025.
Most of the killings were attributed to the military and
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The military government has intensified its crackdown on civil society. It has dissolved 118 organizations, many of which are engaged in human rights work. The authorities cited a July 2025 law on freedom of association but offered no justification beyond vague allusions to noncompliance.
The military government's action reflects a broader pattern of repression that began after the military seized power in
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