Last Saturday, in Barsalogho, a town in the north-central region of Burkina Faso with a population of 10,000, the death toll continues to rise: more than 300 people, primarily men, have been killed by a terrorist group.
Since then, reactions of horror and indignation have emerged from around the globe as we learn more about this tragedy.
This is described as “the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of Burkina Faso,” remarks Le Monde Afrique. “Early in the morning,” the newspaper reports, “dozens of attackers machine-gunned hundreds of men who were digging a trench around their village under the orders of the ruling junta, meant to protect them from increasingly frequent attacks. Two videos recorded by the attackers, reviewed by Le Monde Afrique, depict piles of bloodied bodies of men lying in the excavation, surrounded by abandoned shovels and picks. Around them, dozens of jihadists are firing. Some are executing men attempting to flee at point-blank range. The attack has been claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda. The footage viewed, which only shows one side of the trench, reveals more than 110 bodies. The Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho, which was established the day after the tragedy, claims there are “at least 400.”
The Responsibility of the Military Authorities
The Burkinabe authorities bear some responsibility…
Indeed, Le Monde Afrique continues, this same collective Justice for Barsalogho “confirms what various sources reported earlier: on Saturday, in Barsalogho, ‘the heads of the military detachment on site forced the population to participate in the work against their will, through threats.’ In the days leading up to the attack, only a few civilians consented to participate in building this trench, situated about 3 kilometers from the village, not far from GSIM positions, which has enforced a blockade on the locals for two years. Community members approached the head of the detachment to request that he organize the operation differently, warning him about the attack risks. However, he did nothing; quite the opposite,” explains a witness.
Furthermore, Le Monde Afrique notes, “Although a ministerial delegation visited the wounded in Kaya on Sunday, none of its members provided an assessment of the killings. The Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, merely acknowledged that there were ‘several’ deaths, while the head of the junta, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has remained silent thus far.”
Powerlessness…
So, “Could the scale of the massacre have consequences for Ouagadougou?,” poses the question raised by Jeune Afrique. “While Ibrahim Traoré has prioritized the fight against terrorist groups, his regime has been unable to stem the cycle of violence causing mourning in Burkina Faso,” notes the pan-African site. Despite the large mobilization of volunteers and increased forced enlistments, August proved particularly bloody. On the 9th, a convoy of military vehicles supplying the commune of Diapaga in the eastern region was ambushed, reportedly resulting in over a hundred soldiers losing their lives. The day following the Barsalogho attack, numerous social media posts reported 20 to 30 deaths in Kounla, a town in the west, where men were found shot dead in a church with their hands bound behind their backs.
Never Again?
The Burkinabe press remains cautious… The Barsalogho massacre is indeed discussed, but there is a reluctance to criticize the military regime. The information site Wakatsera reports the recent words of the bishop of Kaya, a nearby town: “We cannot remain silent and passive in the face of the immense tragedy of Barsalogho. We must speak (to God and among ourselves) and act so that this ‘never happens again!’
Commenting on this, Wakatsera states, “The prayers accompanying the military strategy must clearly be intensified to disarm the terrorists’ arms heavy with hatred and their hands stained with the blood of innocents, so that a decisive blow can be delivered to these groups that have taken root in the Sahel.“
The Deadliest Terrorist Attack in Burkina Faso’s History
Last Saturday in Barsalogho, a town in north-central Burkina Faso with 10,000 inhabitants, a horrific tragedy unfolded. More than 300 individuals, mainly men, were killed by a terrorist group, marking it as the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of Burkina Faso.
Since the attack, reactions of horror and indignation have been pouring in from around the globe. Early reports indicate that dozens of attackers machine-gunned hundreds of men who were engaged in digging a trench around their village—an effort initiated by the ruling junta to protect residents from recurrent attacks. Le Monde Afrique details chilling video evidence, showing piles of bloodied bodies lying among abandoned tools, while attackers executed those attempting to flee.
The Nature of the Attack
This attack was claimed by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM), an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. The videos reviewed by le Monde demonstrate the depth of the tragedy, with witnesses estimating at least 400 victims. The Collectif Justice pour Barsalogho stated plainly that the attack represented a gross failure of the military authorities tasked with safeguarding the local population.
The Role of Military Authorities
While the militarized response to violence in Burkina Faso has been touted by the junta, the events leading to this massacre reveal systemic failures. Reports indicate that military leaders forced local civilians into the trench-digging work under threat, ignoring warnings about the imminent risk of attack. Many residents were understandably reluctant to assist, given the reality of the threats posed by the GSIM, which has maintained a blockade on the area for two years.
Government Response
In the aftermath, government officials’ response has been tepid at best. Although a ministerial delegation visited the injured seeking to offer condolences, little information has been made public about the scale of the killings. The Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, acknowledged that there were “several” dead, while the head of the junta, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has remained silent.
The Implications of Inaction
Questions arise about whether the massacre in Barsalogho could reverberate back to the capital, Ouagadougou. Despite made promises by Ibrahim Traoré to prioritize the battle against terrorist groups, his administration’s apparent impotence to curb escalating violence is alarming.
A Pattern of Violence
August was particularly grim, with significant attacks on military convoys and numerous reports of civilians meeting violent ends. For instance, on August 9, an ambush during the supply transport to Diapaga saw over a hundred soldiers killed. Shortly after the Barsalogho attack, further reports indicated 20 to 30 fatalities in Kounla, highlighting the brutal realities facing local communities.
Media and Public Sentiment
Within Burkinabe media, commentary on the massacre is careful and restrained. While the magnitude of the Barsalogho incident is acknowledged somberly, direct criticism towards the military regime is limited, indicating a cautious approach in addressing governmental accountability.
Calls for Change
Amidst this situation, voices like that of the Bishop of Kaya have echoed the necessity for action. “We cannot remain silent… We must speak and act so that it will ‘never happen again’,” the Bishop urged. This sentiment echoes a broader yearning within society for a shift in strategy, aimed at disarming the terror groups that plague the Sahel region.
Potential Strategies and Solutions
International Cooperation
Focus on securing international support to bolster military capability is essential. Building alliances with neighboring nations could provide a collective front against terrorist groups.
Community Engagement
Engaging the local communities in security measures can create a better response strategy. Training local defense groups and fostering cooperation with military personnel could enhance protection efforts.
Long-term Development Initiatives
Addressing the root causes of terrorism through socio-economic development initiatives is critical. Improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities can diminish the appeal of extremist narratives.
Conclusion
The attacks in Burkina Faso signal a profound crisis that requires urgent attention from both national authorities and the international community. As reactions continue to spill forth, a more strategic and compassionate approach to human security and community involvement must emerge to prevent future tragedies.
