Burkina Faso attack: 15 Catholic worshippers killed in mass attack on Catholic Church
Burkina Faso attack: A village in the conflict-affected northern region of Burkina Faso witnessed a violent assault, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 Catholic worshippers who had assembled for mass at a church.
Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, the vicar-general of the Catholic Diocese of Dori, where the attack occurred on Sunday, characterized the event as a "terrorist attack."
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The assailants struck the village of Essakane, leaving 12 attendees dead at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries during medical treatment. Two additional individuals sustained injuries in the attack.
Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo urged for prayers, stating, "In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for the rest in God for those who have died in faith, for the healing of the wounded and ... for the conversion of those who continue to sow death and desolation in our country."
The area where the attack occurred has been troubled by armed groups, which have carried out numerous assaults. Some of these incidents targeted Christian churches, while others involved the kidnapping of clergy.
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Burkina Faso is facing a precarious situation, with approximately half of the country outside of government control due to the persistent activities of these armed groups. Over the years, thousands of lives have been lost, and more than two million people have been displaced, posing a significant threat to the nation's stability. In 2022, Burkina Faso experienced two coups, and since then, the military rulers have struggled to restore peace in volatile areas.
According to an August 2023 report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, the number of casualties from armed group attacks has nearly tripled compared to the preceding 18 months.
(With inputs from agencies)
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