Raiders kill at least a dozen worshippers at Burkina Faso church
GuardianMar 04
Burkina Faso: Catholic Church Attack Kills at Least 15
Image copyright: IdealCom via Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
At least 15 people have been killed and two others injured after gunmen attacked a Catholic church during Sunday mass in the northeastern part of Burkina Faso, near the borders with Mali and Niger.
The vicar of the diocese of Dori, Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, condemned what he described as a "terrorist attack" in the village of Essakane. He called for peace and security in the West African country, denouncing "those who continue to wreak death and desolation" in Burkina Faso.
The Spin
Narrative A
Not only are Christians representing about a quarter of Burkina Faso's population, but the Catholic Church also plays a vital role in providing basic health and education services. For that reason, the socio-economic impact of the targeted attacks on Christians is devastating for an already impoverished population. The coup government had vowed to tackle the country's security problem, but the deteriorating situation proves the regime's utter failure to protect the population. It's the Christian community that's paying a disproportionately high price for this lack of security.
Narrative B
The attack is the latest evidence that Islamist extremists are intent on tearing apart the fabric of Burkina Faso's society, which is known for its centuries-long peaceful coexistence of different religious and ethnic groups. However, the people of Burkina Faso will not allow their cultural heritage to be destroyed, and the government has promised to take all possible action against the perpetrators of these atrocities. Yet the recent attack also stresses the urgent need for international cooperation, as terror isn't only a challenge for Burkina Faso but for the entire international community.