The proliferation of armed drones across Africa has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with nearly 1,000 civilians killed and hundreds more injured since November 2021. Despite the grave consequences, the use of drone warfare continues unchecked, particularly in conflict zones such as Sudan and Burkina Faso. A recent report by Drone Wars UK highlights the urgent need for international intervention to regulate the deployment of armed drones on the continent.
In August 2023, a tragic incident in the village of Bouro illustrated the devastating impact of drone strikes. At least 28 civilians lost their lives when drones targeted a market in Burkina Faso's Sahel region. The Burkinabè government, however, regards such strikes as a demonstration of military efficiency and technological advancement. The use of Bayraktar TB2 drones has become a strategic component in their fight against jihadist insurgencies.
“The Burkinabè government’s wholesale celebration of strikes like that on Bouro’s market rests upon a perception of drone warfare as an efficient, advanced development in the country’s military operations, signifying a technically sophisticated arsenal operated by a vigilant, effective government with a firm grip on its territories.” – Drone Wars UK report
Sudan's civil war further exemplifies the perilous consequences of drone warfare in densely populated areas. Armed drones from Iran, China, and Turkey have been utilized by the Sudanese military, while UAE-supplied drones have been deployed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These deployments have resulted in civilian casualties, underscoring the lack of accountability that accompanies drone warfare.
The report from Drone Wars UK points out that over 940 civilians have perished in Africa due to drone attacks over the past three years. The Ethiopian armed forces alone have been responsible for over 490 civilian deaths in 26 separate attacks. In Mali, nine drone strikes conducted by the armed forces in the north have claimed 64 civilian lives.
Despite the mounting death toll and injuries, the acquisition of drones from countries like Turkey, China, and Iran continues unabated. Most of these drones fall into the "medium altitude, long endurance" (MALE) category, offering extended operational capabilities and further complicating efforts to monitor their use.
Analysts have identified a "striking pattern of civilian harm" associated with drone strikes across Africa, yet efforts to establish accountability remain minimal. The Drone Wars UK report emphasizes that without a robust international control regime to oversee drone deployments, civilian harm will likely continue.
“This must change. Unless the international community moves rapidly towards developing and implementing a new control regime, we are highly likely to see more examples of the killing of civilians from the use of armed drones,” – Cora Morris of campaign group Drone Wars UK