U.N. calls for greater protection for Burkina Faso communities from violent extremists

NEW YORK, US

The United Nations human rights office, OHCHR, has called for greater protection for Burkina Faso communities from violent extremists following a deadly attack over the weekend that killed at least 132 people.

“We also stress necessity of putting human rights at the core of all efforts to address violent extremism,” OHCHR said in a tweet on Monday.

Reports indicate that the attack was one of the deadliest in years in the West African nation, with the government declaring three days of mourning in honor of the deceased.

In a message issued by his spokesperson, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the “unacceptable human toll” of the incident, noting the “urgent need” to redouble support to countries fighting the growing threat of violent extremism throughout the Sahel.

The unidentified assailants behind the June 5 attack are said to have initially targeted a gold mine near a village in the Province of Yagha, close the border with Niger, before attacking a community’s market.

According to the U.N. humanitarian office, OCHA, such attacks have increased eight-fold between 2015 and 2020.

The agency noted that more than 1.1 million people have been internally displaced in Burkina Faso, where conflict and violence have continued to force people to leave their homes since the beginning of the year, particularly in the regions of Sahel and Centre-Nord.

April clashes between armed groups and security forces, as well as attacks against communities also reached northern and eastern regions, prompting further displacement.