Burkina Faso authorities accused Human Rights Watch (HRW) of trying to discredit the country's image and the professionalism of its armed forces.
Earlier, the organization published a report, in which the Burkinabe forces were accused of abuses against civilians. The country's government rejected and condemned these "baseless accusations," noting that Burkinabe forces, "at the risk of their lives, work daily to provide relief and assistance to the civilian population in areas facing security challenges."
An investigation into the killings in the villages was launched, according to a March 1 press release from Burkina Faso's public prosecutor. HRW has been informed but does not wish to participate in the investigation, the authorities said.
On the contrary, without waiting for its outcome, the organization has already named the perpetrators, several thousand kilometers away from the scene, the government stressed.
On Thursday, Burkina Faso suspended broadcasts by the Voice of America and the BBC for two weeks after they aired the HRW report.