Burkina Faso | October 11, 2023
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On 17 July 2023, 10 civilians died in attacks in Nouna, local capital of Kossi province in western Burkina Faso and in Tondoura near the border with Ivory Coast (VOA, 19 July 2023). In recent months Nouna has become a place of refuge for thousands of people who have fled repeated jihadist assaults on their homes.
World Watch Research analyst Yonas Dembele comments: “These killings serve as a stark reminder of the escalating jihadist activity in the region. These attacks are not isolated incidents but a part of a wave of extremist violence that has gripped Burkina Faso in recent years. Despite Nouna being regarded as a safe haven, it has not been immune to the pervasive reach of militant groups in the region. This ongoing scenario of attack after attack threatens not only Burkina Faso's stability but also security within the broader Sahel region. The persistent attacks by jihadists are also raising serious concerns about the efficacy of national and international counter-terrorism efforts.”
Yonas Dembele continues: “The Christian community in Burkina Faso has suffered considerably. According to Bishop Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré of the Catholic Diocese of Dori, 50 percent of the West African country is occupied by jihadists and many Christians stay away from church services fearing further attacks. As a result, three of the six parishes in Bishop Dabiré’s diocese have had to be abandoned for security reasons (Aciafrica, 22 July 2023). When Christians flee their homes, they also leave behind their businesses and livelihoods. The violence perpetrated by jihadist groups has thus caused a dual crisis for the Christian community - a humanitarian crisis marked by displacement and disruption, and a crisis of faith where religious freedom is severely threatened.”
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