According to news reports, it was the latest terrorist attack by the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) in the north of the West African country, which has captured large parts of the country in recent years.
Unbridled instability
JNIM is one of several armed groups that have moved into Burkina Faso from neighboring Mali, contributing to a major security crisis that has led to two military coups in 2022.
Dozens of wounded were evacuated to health facilities in the nearby town of Kaya.
Saturday’s attack by suspected jihadists came as residents of Barsalogho were reportedly digging trenches around the town to protect it from attack.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said during the regular afternoon briefing Tuesday in New York that the UN chief expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and to the people of Burkina Faso.
“The Secretary-General expresses his solidarity with the transitional authorities in their fight against terrorism and calls on them to ensure that those responsible for these despicable acts are held to account,” he added.
‘Extra tax’
Mr Dujarric also reported that UN humanitarian workers working in the area of the “horrific attack” described conditions as generally “quite appalling”.
“According to local officials, at least 90,000 displaced people were living in Barsalogho last year. These families sought refuge there because of insecurity in the surrounding areas, and their arrival put additional pressure on local services and supplies,” he said.
The entire province where Barsalogho is located is facing acute hunger, Mr. Dujarric continues, adding that the insecurity in the surrounding areas also makes it much more difficult to provide aid in Barsalogho.
“Since 2022, access to the area for aid organizations has been largely limited to helicopter transport,” the UN spokesman said.
