Local sources and security officials report that armed attackers killed five worshippers and a pastor on Sunday in Burkina Faso’s small northern town of Silgadji near Djibo. The attack reportedly took place at a Protestant church on Sunday April 28, 2019.
Speaking on condition of anonymity a security source said that “Unidentified armed individuals have attacked the Protestant church in Silgadji,”
Historically, Burkina Faso is a religious tolerant country. However, the country has experienced a rise in attacks mainly due to jihadists groups based in neighbouring Mali seek to extend their influence in the Sahel.
Muslims make up about 55 to 60 percent of Burkina Faso’s population and roughly 20-25 percent are Christian. This is the first attack on church according to Government spokesman Remy Fulgance Dandjinou.
Speaking on the attack, Rinaldo Depagne of West Africa Project Director at International Crisis Group stated that “Armed groups…have every interest in troubling or going against the good understanding between religions. We have observed this strategy in other countries in the region and in the world,”
Jihadists movement are posing greater and great threats to peace and security and the development of the African continent.
