AFRICA.BURKINA FASO: Following a mindless killing of more than 22 civilians in Kossi province, a northwestern region of Burkina Faso, the country’s military has begun a search and rescue operation.
Transcontinental Times, learnt, that the murder was perpetrated by Islamist Jihadists starting from late Sunday evening to Monday morning, July 4.
Islamist rebellion has become a common phenomenon in many African countries with many terrorist affiliates taking hold of the countries. For Instance, Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon suffer coordinated attacks from the Boko Haram group, Islamic State West Africa Province and Ansaru jihadists.
In Burkina Faso, Togo, and Somalia among others, terror groups like al-Qaida, al-Shabaab and ISIS hold the countries to ransom.
According to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Burkina Faso government has only 60 per cent control of the country, noting that the country’s crisis is political, socio-economic, security and humanitarian related.
Statistically, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded over 500 violent attacks in Burkina Faso just between February and May 2022. These statistics, according to the data hub, were far lesser than what was recorded in the same period the previous year.
Babo Pierre Bassinga, the regional governor, disclosed in a statement that the “barbaric and cowardly” attack saw many injured and displaced, adding that military forces have already been deployed for a search and rescue mission.
The wave of attacks from Burkina Faso put its neighbouring countries in constant fear. Last week, police officers were killed in the Benin Republic and locals believe it resulted from rebel attacks in Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic.
This propelled Togo to declare a state of emergency in its areas bordering Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic.
This propelled Togo to declare a state of emergency in its areas bordering Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic. According to Al Jazeera, terror attacks on Seytenga, a district in Seno province claimed 50 lives in June alone.
Accordingly, experts opinionated that military coups in Mali and Burkina Faso have rendered the Sahel region vulnerable, causing the displacement of nearly two million people amid the wanton killing of scores.
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