A Catholic church in north-eastern Burkina Faso was attacked during Sunday worship, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuring two others.
The assault occurred in Essakane village, Oudalan province, near the Mali border. Suspected Islamist militants carried out the attack, according to a church official.
Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, head of the local diocese, confirmed the tragic incident, stating that 12 people died immediately, with three more succumbing to injuries at the hospital.
“In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for those who died in faith, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolidation of grieving hearts,” Sawadogo’s statement reads.
This assault adds to a series of atrocities in Burkina Faso attributed to Islamist militants.
Over a third of the country is reportedly under insurgent control, with ongoing battles against groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, leading to mass displacement in the Sahel region.
Churches have frequently been targeted, resulting in numerous worshipper fatalities over the past three years.
Burkina Faso, governed by a military dictatorship, recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) alongside Mali and Niger, citing insufficient support from the bloc in combating terrorism.
The junta-led countries had previously been suspended from Ecowas, which had been urging a return to democratic governance.
President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso, backed by the military, mentioned the potential deployment of Russian troops to combat jihadists if necessary.
Source-BBC
