News reports state that it was the most recent terror strike by the militant organization Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), which has been linked to Al Qaeda and has recently taken control of a sizable portion of the country in northern West Africa.
Widespread instability
Among the armed groups that have invaded Burkina Faso from neighboring Mali is JNIM, which has contributed to a serious security problem that has led to two military takeovers in 2022.
Numerous injured were flown to medical centers in the neighboring city of Kaya.
The purported jihadist attack occurred on Saturday while Barsalogho locals were allegedly excavating trenches around the town to defend it from attack.
During Tuesday’s regular midday briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed his condolences to the families of the victims as well as the people of Burkina Faso.
“The Secretary-General urges the transition authorities to ensure that those accountable for these heinous acts are held accountable and expresses his solidarity with them in their fight against terrorism,” he continued.
“More strain”
Additionally, according to Mr. Dujarric, UN relief workers in the vicinity of the “terrible attack” noted that general conditions were “pretty horrific.”
Local authorities claim that as of last year, there were at least 90,000 displaced persons residing in Barsalogho. The entrance of these families put further demand on local services and supplies because they had fled violence in the surrounding districts, he said.
Mr. Dujarric stated, “There is extreme hunger throughout the province where Barsalogho is located, and the insecurity in the surrounding areas has made it much more difficult to provide aid in Barsalogho.”
According to the UN Spokesperson, “since 2022, access to the area for aid agencies has mostly been limited to helicopter transport.”
