“During the day of Sunday, June 12, 2022, around 12:00 p.m., the Republican Security Company (CRS) detachment in Yakouta, SENO Province, Sahel Region, was the target of an attack by armed individuals. The attack unfortunately resulted in the deaths of four (04) police officers and two (02) wounded who were immediately taken into custody. Two (02) others are still missing”. These words are taken from the latest official release of the Burkina Faso National Police.
In less than a week, the same region has experienced real horrors. Already on Thursday, June 09, 2022, a dozen gendarmes fell under terrorist bullets in Seytenga. Two days later, these armed individuals taking advantage of the withdrawal of the armed forces broke into the locality and committed unspeakable carnage. While waiting for the government’s promised “accurate assessment” of the massacre, many witnesses speak of dozens of civilians killed. In any case, Seytenga, like many cities in the country, suffers. Much of the Sahel region is practically in the hands of terrorists.
At this rate, one wonders what was the purpose of the coup orchestrated by Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba Sandaogo. With the overthrow of President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré on January 24, many Burkinabe welcomed the advent of a new breath in the fight against terrorism in their country. They hoped that the soldiers, well aware of the realities of the theatre of operations, would equip themselves with consistent means and effective strategies to repel the aggressors of Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, the respite will only be short. The armed men inflicted heavy losses on the Defence and Security Forces and massacred civilians fleeing to areas still untouched by this tragedy.
Is Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba Sandaogo’s coup a failure? This is what some Burkinabe think, almost regretting to have applauded the putschists. The government spokesman, Lionel Bilgo, was in front of the press on Monday, June 13 to reaffirm the determination of the MPSR in power to fight terrorism: “Let’s get together to fight this war. Let us work together to fight this war. Yes, we are divided. Many are sailing against the tide, I must say. We have no more time to waste for futile wars,” he said.
With the growing security situation in this country, it certainly takes more than words to reassure the people of Burkina Faso. A real response is expected to defeat the terrorists and bring peace to the country of honest men.
