Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) wreak havoc in the west African country of Burkina Faso as the Burkinabe (people of Burkina Faso) assemble together in the Capital of Ougadogou to open a Mausoleum of their famous leader Thomas Sankara. Reports say that the main aim of the Mausoleum is to keep the feeling of revolution alive in the hearts of millions of its people in the country as Burkina Faso continues its fight against the AL Qaeda affiliates and ISIS.
As per reports, 60% of the country is out of control of the Burkina Faso army with Al Qaeda affiliate Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin controlling areas in the north and west while ISIS dominate the eastern part along Niger. Recently, JNIM launched a massive attack in a military base in the northern town of Djibo where it killed around 200 soldiers and many cilvilians. US based intelligence group called SITE said JNIM claimed the attack, adding, “The operation comes amid increased JNIM activity in Burkina Faso over the past month inflicting a high number of casualties,”. Ousmane Dicko, head of JNIM operations in Burkina Faso supposedly gave a video warning to Djibo people prior the attack. Reports suggest that the military base meant to protect 200000 people was bombed to the ground by JNIM.
What exactly is happening in Burkina Faso ?
Burkina Faso is currently embroiled in a severe armed crisis involving pro government forces, jihadist forces and the ISIS. Current Military leader of the country Ibrahim Traore who came to power in 2022 through a coup is apparently leading the country against these extremist forces. He was successful in defeating the French and openly advocated anti-west and pan Africa ideology. However analysts have said Traore’s claims that the country’s military has been gaining territory were being proven wrong as JNIM continue to bomb the country.
It is worth nothing that the ongoing conflict trace its roots back to 2015 as the Al Qaeda and ISIS force fight against the Burkina Faso military to gain control. JNIM has been actively trying to capture territory and put it under Sharia law. Amidst all of this, it has been reported that minority ethnic tribes such as the Fulani Muslims have been supporting the Jihadist forces which led to the mass killings of the Fulani Civilians by the state military. In Solenzo Massacre, hundreds of Fulani civilians were killed by the government army in the western town of Solenzo because of their alleged support of Islamist Militants. Jihadist forces responded by killing more civilians who they think were helping the army.
Though, Burkina Faso is a secular republic with the State army composed of people from different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. However, as per Pew Research and CIA World Factbook data, 63% of the population of Burkina Faso follow Islam and 26 % of the population are Christians while remaining 15 % constitutes other religious groups. As per reports, Islamist Militants have been trying to radicalize the Muslim part of the population and has strategically sewn anti Military propaganda among the already neglected Fulani Muslims in the country. There has been reports that some Fulani individuals have joined the ranks of Jihadist forces.
Christian community in Burkina Faso were targeted earlier this year where Islamist Militants attacked villages and burnt them down killing Christians. Christians Catechists were also murdered by the terrorists near Diocese of Dedougou in the western Burkino Faso. Local Aid to the Church in need has said, “deep concern for the ongoing extreme violence in the region and has called for prayers for the Ouakara parish community, the families of the victims, and for peace in Burkina Faso,” and added that Christian communities in the country face continued persecution from the Jihadist forces. Christian Churches were also targeted by the extremists. Islamist Militants gunned down 15 Catholic Worshippers in the village of Essakane when worshippers gathered for the Sunday mass. Abbot Jean-Pierre Sawadogo issued a statement after the attack which said, “In this painful circumstance, we invite you to pray for the rest in God for those who have died in faith, for the healing of the wounded and … for the conversion of those who continue to sow death and desolation in our country,”
Burkina Faso’s struggle against the Islamists is one of the worst humanatarian crisis that is being widely underreported. More than 2 million have been displaced currently while 6 million people in urgent need of aid. Schools are being attacked and healthcare and food supply disrupted due to the ongoing conflict between the State Military and Jihadist forces.
