UN Condemns Deadly Terror Attack in Burkina Faso

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned the recent attack in Barsalogho, Burkina Faso, which resulted in the deaths of around 200 people and injured 140 others over the weekend. This tragic incident marks the latest act of violence by the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), which has expanded its influence in northern Burkina Faso in recent years.

JNIM, along with other armed groups from neighboring Mali, has contributed significantly to the security crisis in Burkina Faso, which has led to two military coups since 2022.

In response to the attack, many of the injured have been evacuated to medical facilities in the nearby city of Kaya. The assault occurred while Barsalogho residents were fortifying their town with trenches to defend against potential attacks.

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, speaking from New York on Tuesday, relayed Guterres’ condolences to the victims’ families and the people of Burkina Faso. The Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the transitional authorities in their ongoing battle against terrorism and called for accountability for those responsible for the violence.

Dujarric also highlighted the severe conditions reported by UN humanitarian workers in the aftermath of the attack, noting that the area has been struggling with acute hunger and has faced significant challenges in delivering aid due to ongoing insecurity. As of 2023, Barsalogho was home to approximately 90,000 displaced individuals who had sought refuge from surrounding areas affected by violence. The deteriorating situation has strained local resources and made aid delivery increasingly difficult, with access often limited to helicopter transport.