Civilians killed in Burkina Faso
The governor of Burkina Faso announced on Saturday that at least 33 people were killed when gunmen opened fire on vegetable producers in a country affected by Islamist insurgency.
Since March, eight of Burkina Faso’s thirteen regions—including the western Boucle du Mouhoun—have been under a state of emergency.
The attack on the farmers took place on Thursday at around 5:00 pm (1700 GMT), according to a statement from Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga.
In the department of Cheriba, province of Mouhoun, the village of Youlou “suffered a cowardly and barbaric terrorist attack,” he declared.
He said that the “provisional death toll” included 33 victims and stated that “the gunmen targeted peaceful civilians” who were farming along the river.
According to local sources, the farmers had been randomly fired upon by highly armed assailants on motorcycles.
Civilians killed in Burkina Faso
On Friday, the victims were laid to rest.
Residents of Cheriba reported that three further persons had been shot during the attack and that the attackers had set property on fire before firing.
The governor said that local security was being improved.
“Redouble their vigilance and continue working with the fighting forces for a victory against terrorism and a firm return of peace and stability,” Bassinga urged the local populace.
A top official from the Boucle du Mouhoun region was found deceased in the jungle just days prior to Thursday’s attack.
According to neighbors, Amadou Kabore, the prefect—the senior official of the state—was found dead after being kidnapped at gunpoint when his automobile was halted by armed men.
In April, the army said it had carried out an anti-jihadist operation in the same region, mobilising more than 800 soldiers and members of the VDP volunteer militia.
The same month, a series of suspected jihadist attacks across the country killed dozens of soldiers and civilian army replacements.