Guterres strongly condemns terrorist attack in Burkina Faso; hundreds killed and injured
According to news reports, this is the latest terrorist attack by the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the north of the West African country, which has captured large swathes of territory in recent years.
Instability is rampant
JNIM is just one of the armed groups that have moved into Burkina Faso from neighboring Mali, contributing to a major security crisis that has led to two military coups in 2022.
Dozens of injured people were taken to health care facilities in the nearby city of Kaya.
Saturday’s attack by suspected jihadists came as Barsalogho residents were reportedly digging trenches around the town to protect it from attack.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric speaks at the regular press conference at noon On Tuesday in New York, the head of the United Nations sent his condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Burkina Faso.
“The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the transitional authorities in the fight against terrorism and calls on them to ensure that those responsible for these despicable acts are held accountable,” he added.
‘More stress’
Mr Dujarric also reported that UN humanitarian staff working in the area where the “terrible attack” took place described the general situation as “quite horrific”.
“According to local officials, at least 90,000 displaced people were living in Barsalogho as of last year. These families have sought refuge there to escape insecurity in surrounding areas, and their presence has put additional pressure on local services and supplies,” he said.
The entire Barsalogho province is facing severe hunger, Mr. Dujarric added, adding that insecurity in surrounding areas also makes delivering aid in Barsalogho much more difficult.
“Since 2022, access to the area by aid organizations has been largely limited to helicopter transport,” a UN spokesperson said.
