At least fifteen worshipers were killed and two others wounded in an attack attributed to jihadists on a Catholic church in the middle of a service, yesterday Sunday in the north Burkina FasoSahel country, where a military regime rules.
According to Abbe Jean-Pierre Chaudago, vicar general of the diocese of Dory, the attack targeted “the Catholic community of the village of Esakan” and was committed while “the Sunday service” was in progress.
“The provisional count speaks of fifteen faithful dead”, of which “12 (were killed) on the spot and another 3 succumbed to their wounds” in a health center where they were treated, he clarified. He also reported “two injured”.
Emphasizing that he wishes for “peace and security” in Burkina Faso, the priest condemned “those who continue to sow death and despair in our country”.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been swept by repeated attacks attributed to jihadist organizations that pledge allegiance to either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State. Their action has claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 people and displaced over two million others.
Attacks not infrequently target churches in the country, while at the same time kidnappings of Christian priests have multiplied.
In February 2020, 24 people were killed and 18 others injured in an attack on a Protestant church in Pansi village in the north of the country.
In December 2019, 14 worshipers, including children, were killed in an attack on a Protestant church in Adokoura, in the eastern part of Burkina Faso.
In May 2019, four worshipers were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in Tulfe, also in the north of the country.
Later that month, six people, including a priest, were killed in an attack on a Catholic church in Dablo, also in the north.
In April 2019, five people were killed in an attack on a Protestant church in Silgaji, a community also in the north of the country.
“Sovereignty”
The village of Esakan is located in the so-called “international border” zone of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, a hideout for jihadist organizations.
In all three countries, plagued by repeated, deadly attacks, civilian governments have been toppled by military coups since 2020.
The three states, former French colonies, turned their backs on Paris and turned to Moscow before forming the Sahelian Alliance of States (SAA), which they aspire to develop into a confederation.
In mid-February, the head of the military regime in Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, once again emphasized the need for a struggle to restore “national sovereignty”, addressing thousands of his supporters.
At the end of January, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced that they would leave the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO in French, ECOWAS in English), without waiting for the one-year deadline for this process to complete, as expected its articles of association.
Although it has condemned the military coups, recently CEDEAO has been reaching out to the three military regimes: earlier this month, it called for “reconciliation”.
In particular, he put forward the argument that their withdrawal from its bosom will cause great difficulties both for their populations and those of the wider region.
The day before Saturday, the regional organization decided to proceed with the “removal with immediate effect” of the heaviest sanctions it had imposed on Niger.
Source: News Beast
With 6 years of experience, I bring to the table captivating and informative writing in the world news category. My expertise covers a range of industries, including tourism, technology, forex and stocks. From brief social media posts to in-depth articles, I am dedicated to creating compelling content for various platforms.
