Tragedy has struck Burkina Faso, where over 150 individuals, including numerous Christians, have lost their lives at the hands of Islamic terrorists.
Reports from local sources shared with the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) detail a shocking escalation of violence that has left communities in despair.
The Attack on Manni
On October 6, a horrific attack unfolded in the town of Manni, located in the eastern part of Burkina Faso.
For several months, the situation has worsened, with insurgents intensifying their brutal tactics to instill fear, claiming control over nearly half of the region, according to ACN.
Local Christians described the massacre as “beyond horrible,” yet they stand resilient, affirming, “Even if the terrorists burned everything, they didn’t burn our faith!”
The Horrors of the Assault
Witnesses recounted that the terrorists first disabled all phone communications before launching their assault on a local market, where many had gathered following Sunday Mass.
They opened fire indiscriminately, looted shops, and set ablaze several buildings, tragically resulting in some victims being burned alive.
The next day, the terrorists returned, targeting medical personnel and executing those receiving treatment for their injuries.
On October 8, they again invaded the village, killing as many men as they could find.
Displaced People Seeking Refuge
Many victims included individuals from nearby areas who had already fled violence and sought refuge in Manni.
A priest from the Rollo district had previously informed the foundation that, since May 8, 2023, they had taken in around 2,000 people, both Catholics and Muslims, who were displaced by such attacks.
“When the extremists arrive, they either kill the entire population or, after randomly killing several to demonstrate their power, force everyone to evacuate their homes before nightfall,” Father André Poré explained.
A Message of Compassion
In the wake of these atrocities, Bishop Pierre Claver Malgo of the Diocese of Fada N’Gourma addressed the priests, religious figures, and laity in his jurisdiction on October 9.
He described the attacks as “barbaric” and extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families.
He reminded the community that any threat to human dignity and life should deeply affect the Church and emphasized the necessity of maintaining hope for a brighter future.
Rising Extremism in the Sahel
Burkina Faso currently faces the highest levels of extremist violence in the Sahel region, with recent attacks in Manni and Barsalogho at the end of August reportedly resulting in around 400 deaths.
Despite these challenges, the Catholic Church continues to advocate for peace and unity among Christians and Muslims.
Father Poré, parish priest of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus in Rollo, stated, “We are united and are holding many more interfaith meetings these days.
When distributing aid to the displaced, we do not distinguish between religious groups, which has impressed the Muslims and strengthened our ties.”
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