Human Rights Watch reported that the police force murdered innocent civilians amid an attack on the northern part of the country. The attack occurred on 9th April when the government authority detained 31 men whom they accused as participants of a counterterrorism operation.
The chaos in this West African state is because of the violence between Islam, local defense groups, and the military.
Attack on the Fulani community
Often, the Fulani community always end up victims of such violence. They are caught up in the violence between Islams, and defense forces. The police accuse them of colluding with the Islamic movements, hence they become targets.
For instance, Duouda Dialle, head of Fulani Human Rights Watch Group says in 2020 the Fulani community has become more endangered says the community is facing about twenty attacks per week compared to last year which was 20 per month. In March, armed men raided the most populous village in the country, Yatenga and killed 43 people.
Surviving victim narrates the inhumane encounter
One of the surviving victims narrated his encounter, which wasn’t pleasing at all. The 54-year-old father of five said he witnessed people murdered in cold blood. The group behind the attack was Kolglweoge. A group infamous for bloody habits. He said the attackers’ motive was to hit specifically the Fulani community. For other neighborhoods remained untouched. He was quick to rescue his nephew, whom they shot in the leg.
Human Rights Group cautions government of the persistent atrocities in the country
Hence the Human Rights Group alleges that the defense forces in Burkina Faso are committing atrocities. They are harming innocent civilians in the name of curbing violence. Since 2017 the Rights Group has filed reports on violation of human rights by the state’s defense system.
The accusations that the Fulani’s are accomplices to the extremist groups do not add up because they are also victims of their violence.
Ethnic community wary as the government tries to intervene
Corinne Dufka, head of Human Rights group in West Africa, says the government authority is endangering innocent Fulani’s. Instead of killing they should conduct proper investigations and punish the right culprits’ this chaos has affected this innocent community as some have even lost their homes.
It is against the law exposing victims to violence. For that only motivates them to seek revenge by joining the extremist groups.
The ethnic community wary government intervention in the crises puts them in more danger. Especially since in January, the parliament passed legislation that civilians can own rifles. Hence guns are at the disposal of the Islamic movements and local communities. As such some Fulani’s have joined the local defense groups to stay safe amid attacks.
“I’ll join because I am afraid of what will come. Maybe those communities will turn on us,” said Amadi Ba, a Fulani resident.
Double chaos as corona strikes Burkina Faso amid violence
However, coronavirus has deeply affected Burkina Faso. Over 581 people have tested positive for coronavirus while 38 confirmed dead. Despite so, International analysts urge the government to encourage solidarity among its citizens. Failure to which chaos and mistrust will widen room for COVID-19 pandemic.
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