Terrorist attack on Catholic Church in Burkina Faso, 15 people killed, two injured. Jean-Pierre Savadogo, priest of the Diocese of Douri, said the attack took place as people gathered for Sunday prayers. He said that 15 people have died and two have been injured in this attack on the church.
At least 15 civilians were killed and two others were injured in a terrorist attack on a Catholic church during Sunday mass in northern Burkina Faso. Essakane village was the victim of today, February 25 when a terrorist group attacked on the Catholic Church.
Jean-Pierre Savadogo, priest of the Diocese of Douri, said the attack took place as people gathered for Sunday prayers. He said that 15 people have died and two have been injured in this attack.
In fact, at least 15 Catholic religious people were killed in an attack on a village in Burkina Faso on Sunday. Church officials said gunmen attacked worshipers who had gathered for prayers in the country’s conflict-torn northern region.
Calling for peace and security in Burkina Faso, Sawadogo denounced “those who continue to wreak death and desolation in our country”.
At least 15 civilians have been killed in a militant attack on a Catholic church in Burkina Faso.
A senior church official, calling it a “terrorist” attack, said the attacking group targeted believers during Sunday prayers pic.twitter.com/zpFnWo3okR
— Radar Africa (@radarafricacom) February 25, 2024
This is just the latest in a series of atrocities blamed on terrorist groups active in the region, some of which have targeted Christian churches while others have involved the abduction of clergy.
The jihadist insurgency spilled over into Burkina Faso and Niger from 2015.
When Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in 2022, it was the country’s second coup in less than a year—both triggered in part by discontent at the government’s failures to quell the violence.
Around 20,000 people in Burkina Faso have been killed in that violence, while over two million have been displaced.
Terrorist attack on Catholic Church in Burkina Faso
The shooting in the village of Essaken was a terrorist attack, according to a statement issued by Abbot Jean-Pierre Savadogo, Vicar-General of the Catholic Diocese of Dori, which left 12 Catholic religious people dead at the scene. While three other people died during treatment.
No group took responsibility
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and no further information has been given. However, suspicion over the attack has fallen on jihadists who have often attacked remote communities and security forces. They carried out these attacks especially in the northern region.
Burkina Faso a land-locked country
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. The capital city is Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso was formerly known as Upper Volta, and its name was changed to Burkina Faso in 1984. The country gained independence from France in 1960.
Burkina Faso has a population of over 20 million people and is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has a rich cultural heritage, with 60 different ethnic groups, each with its own language and traditions. The official language is French.
The economy of Burkina Faso is primarily based on agriculture, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Gold mining is also a significant contributor to the economy. However, the country faces challenges such as poverty, a high population growth rate, and environmental degradation.
Politically, Burkina Faso has experienced periods of political instability, including coups and military rule. The country’s government is a semi-presidential republic, with a president and a prime minister.
Politically, Burkina Faso has experienced periods of political instability, including coups and military rule. The country’s government is a semi-presidential republic, with a president and a prime minister. The current president is Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, who has been in office since 2015.