06/16/2021 Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) – Earlier this month, an estimated 160 civilians were killed by jihadists during the deadliest attack in Burkina Faso’s recent history. Over a period of three hours, gunmen raided the northern village of Yagha and burned down homes, while shooting indiscriminately at men, women, and children.
While the devastation caused by this single atrocity garnered global attention, jihadist violence has been steadily increasing in Africa’s Sahel region and attacks have become routine.
“People are dying every week,” Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), a medical-humanitarian organization working in the Sahel region stated in a press release. “Many are afraid to sleep at night. Some leave their beds and go to hide in the bush for fear of being attacked. The conflict and forced displacement are directly impacting people’s livelihoods: many were farmers or herders but have now lost everything and depend almost entirely on humanitarian aid. Their outlook for the near future is very uncertain.”
While the country was once seen as a harmonious nation of religious tolerance, a jihadist uprising has plagued Burkina Faso and the rest of Africa’s Sahel region since 2015. Civilians are subject to grave acts of violence and human rights violations at the hands of extremist groups, who often target Christians, their leaders, and places of worship.
Please continue to pray for Burkina Faso and for the end of Islamic extremism. Pray for those who engage in horrendous crimes against humanity, that they will experience the love of Jesus and be guided from darkness to light. Please also pray for the Lord to protect and strengthen the persecuted church, and to provide healing to all of those affected by violence.
For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org.
