10/04/2019 Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) – Burkina Faso is becoming a hotbed of extremist activity and violence. The Africa Center for Strategic Studies has reported that in 2018 there were 137 violent events that led to 149 fatalities. In 2019, those numbers have already exceeded the total deaths of 2018 by twice as many. The group tracked 191 episodes of violence and 324 fatalities by the end of July, 2019 alone.
August and September also so an increase in violence as at least 29 people were killed in August and another 35 in September. These numbers bring the total deaths in 2019 by Islamic extremism to almost 400. This vast increase in murder and violence is a terrible sign of the growing power and capability of extremist groups in the area.
These groups include the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, the Macina Liberation Front, and Ansarul al Islam. All three of these groups have been known to conduct attack in Northern Burkina Faso this year. Their activities have led to mass displacement and need for aid. OCHA has reported that over 289,000 people have had to flee their homes to other host communities since the beginning of the year. Another 1.5 million people are in need. Finally, over 330,000 children have been forced out of school because the closure or destruction of over 2,000 schools.
Please pray for all those living in Northern Burkina Faso, not only Christians. Though Christians have been threatened and executed, the country as a whole is suffering as well. Pray for safety and provision for these people in their time of need.
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].
