A massacre in the village of Zaongo in the north-central region of Burkina Faso has resulted in the tragic deaths of nearly 100 civilians, including women and children, according to the European Union’s diplomatic service. The village, situated around 60 kilometers from Boulsa, witnessed the horrifying event, and so far, there is no evidence regarding the perpetrators.
The junta-led military rule in Burkina Faso, established after a successful coup in July 2022, has struggled to rein in Islamist groups responsible for numerous attacks, leading to multiple civilian casualties. The country has become a focal point of violence linked to Islamist groups affiliated with al Qaeda and the Islamic State, with Amnesty International reporting large areas facing siege by armed groups committing war crimes and human rights abuses.
The current findings in the Zaongo massacre indicate that the perpetrators remain unknown. The US government, along with the EU, condemned the attack and urged the transitional authorities to investigate and unveil the circumstances behind the tragic incident.
Burkina Faso continues to grapple with a deteriorating security situation, and the EU expressed full solidarity with the people of the country, acknowledging them as the first victims. The region has witnessed previous attacks, and the authorities have faced challenges in addressing the complex security landscape.