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Promoting Compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Burkina Faso: A Baseline Study on Armed Groups and Humanitarian Concerns

Case Study

Catalystas Consulting supported a well-renowned international peace and conflict NGO in conducting an external baseline study in Burkina Faso aimed at promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) among armed groups, while addressing critical humanitarian concerns such as food security and civilian protection. The project was initiated in response to the escalating conflict in Burkina Faso, exacerbated by the proliferation of armed groups, widespread displacement, and insecurity. Through structured data collection, field research, and direct engagement with armed groups and local communities, we assessed the knowledge and attitudes of key actors regarding IHL, and identified significant gaps in compliance, access to information, and barriers to IHL adherence.

Since 2016, Burkina Faso has been plagued by increasing violence driven by jihadist armed groups like the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS). These groups have targeted both security forces and civilians, leading to an urgent humanitarian crisis. Nearly two million people—approximately 10% of the population—have been displaced, while food insecurity, lack of access to water, health services, and education have worsened. In this context, self-defense militias such as the Koglweogo and Dozo groups have emerged, with varying degrees of involvement in both combat and protection of local populations.

Recognizing the urgent need to promote IHL among armed actors, our client, a leading peace and conflict-focused NGO, engaged Catalystas Consulting in 2022 to conduct a baseline study on knowledge and compliance with IHL among both self-defense militias and other armed groups. The study sought to bridge gaps in understanding and foster dialogue on civilian protection, food security, and humanitarian principles.

Project Scope and Methodology

The baseline study was structured in three phases:

  1. Phase 1: Literature Review and Methodological Design – Establishing the groundwork for the study, including reviewing existing IHL frameworks and identifying the key research questions.
  2. Phase 2: Primary Data Collection – Conducting interviews and focus group discussions across conflict-affected regions in Burkina Faso. A total of 45 key informant interviews (KIIs) were completed—exceeding the original target of 25–30—along with several focus groups in Ouagadougou, the East, North, and Boucle du Mouhoun.
  3. Phase 3: Data Analysis and Report Compilation – Analyzing the data collected, identifying key trends, and producing a comprehensive report with actionable findings and recommendations for future interventions.

Findings and Key Insights

Our study revealed several critical findings related to IHL compliance and humanitarian concerns:

  • Perceptions of Security Challenges: There was a significant disparity in how civilians and armed groups perceived security challenges. Civilians reported frequent blockades, forced displacement, and destruction of agricultural resources, with 60% mentioning attacks on civilians and supply convoys. Meanwhile, members of self-defense militias expressed a strong willingness to revise their internal codes of conduct to incorporate protections for food security and civilian livelihoods.
  • IHL Knowledge Gaps: Despite some understanding of fundamental IHL principles, armed groups lacked written internal guidelines addressing food security and civilian protections. All armed group members we interviewed (100%) were open to revising their codes of conduct to better align with humanitarian protections, although logistical challenges and ideological opposition in some factions hindered implementation.
  • Training Impact: The IHL training provided by our client was impactful, with testimonials from self-defense militia members illustrating how it influenced decision-making in conflict situations, preventing harm to civilians and ensuring the safety of educational institutions. However, a key gap was identified: no armed group members reported receiving training on food security norms, despite the widespread awareness of food insecurity in the region.

Barriers to Information Access: Language disparities were a significant barrier to effective communication. Many communities lacked access to crucial humanitarian information due to language limitations. Additionally, security concerns and poor connectivity in rural areas further hindered the dissemination of IHL-related content.

Field Work and Local Dynamics

Our field mission involved engaging with a wide range of stakeholders. Government officials were often inaccessible due to political constraints, while self-defense militias demonstrated a strong willingness to engage. Civilian communities showed varying levels of receptiveness—some were eager to collaborate, while others were skeptical due to previous unmet expectations from humanitarian initiatives.

Self-defense groups, such as the Koglweogo and Dozo militias, were actively engaged in local security efforts. They reported conducting patrols, escorting food supplies, and mediating disputes to prevent food shortages. Despite their positive contributions, these groups expressed frustration over being excluded from formal humanitarian training programs, underscoring the need for more inclusive and adaptive engagement strategies.

Conclusion and Lessons Learned

The research demonstrated that there is significant potential for constructive engagement with armed groups on IHL compliance. Key recommendations for future interventions include:

  • Tailored Training Programs: IHL training programs should specifically address food security and humanitarian obligations under IHL, ensuring that armed groups understand their role in protecting civilian livelihoods during conflict.
  • Language Accessibility: Ensuring that training materials are available in local languages and accessible to rural communities will be essential for overcoming communication barriers.
  • Inclusive Engagement: It is crucial to include self-defense militias and other non-state actors in IHL promotion efforts, as they play a vital role in local security and civilian protection.
  • Collaboration with Local Stakeholders: Continued collaboration with local authorities, community leaders, and humanitarian actors is essential to building trust and ensuring sustainable impact in conflict settings.

This study provides valuable insights for improving IHL compliance in conflict zones, reinforcing the importance of a flexible, culturally sensitive approach to humanitarian engagement. By integrating these lessons into future initiatives, humanitarian organizations can better address the evolving challenges in conflict-affected regions and work toward more effective civilian protection.

Scope of Work

Catalystas provided the following services for our client

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Amélie Desjardins

Associate
Montreal, Canada

Amélie is a French-Canadian strategic development consultant with over 15 years of international experience on all continents, with the past six years focused on Asia Pacific and East Africa. Former social entrepreneur, regional NGO exec, researcher and lawyer-by-trade among other titles; she is a diverse professional currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. Amélie has worked in consulting on and off for 11 years across a range of industries and sectors, and has notably provided multiple market penetration and M&E analysis services, as well as risk assessments on the topics of forced labor and child labor in supply chains in Africa and in Asia.

Amélie completed her law degree in Quebec, Canada, and holds a Masters in International Law gained in Beijing, China. She has worked with organizations including the Thomson Reuters Foundation as Asia Pacific Manager (2019-2021), where she managed a portfolio of 250+ human rights research and advisory projects, prior to which she co-founded a social enterprise in the renewable energy sector in Rwanda, on the border of the DRC.

Amélie is proud to dedicate her time to driving social change through economic development and sustainable growth projects concretely in Southeast Asia and East Africa, and globally virtually. Amelie loves travelling, eating, and getting out of her comfort zone.

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