Reported Killings in Burkina Faso “unfortunate”, Church Source Says, Expresses Hope for Better Days of Unity, Peace

In an earlier report, Reuters highlighted a separate attack in the South of the West African nation that “left dozens of civilians dead.”

"Many of our men have fallen, soldiers as well as (militia) fighters. Arms have also been taken. On the population side too, there were many losses in human life," one security source that requested “anonymity for fear of reprisals from the government” told Reuters.

The May 11 double attacks in the North and South of Burkina underscore the “spiralling insecurity in the junta-led country,” the May 12 Reuter’s report that cites multiple security sources states.

The attacks targeting the Burkinabe military base, a police station, and a market happened on the eve of the Human Rights Watch (HRW) report that accuses the Burkina Faso army of directing “ethnic massacres” of dozens of civilians earlier this year. 

Based on “research”, including video analysis, the May 12 HRW report argues that Burkinabè special forces and pro-government militias “led and participated in the massacre of more than 130, possibly many more, ethnic Fulani civilians” particularly “in the western Boucle du Mouhoun region in March 2025.”

The HRW report has its senior Sahel researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, saying that the “viral videos of the atrocities by pro-government militias near Solenzo sent shock waves through Africa’s Sahel region, but they told only part of the story.”

“Further research uncovered that Burkina Faso’s military was responsible for these mass killings of Fulani civilians, which were followed by deadly reprisals by an Islamist armed group,” the May 12 HRW report indicates, adding, “The government needs to impartially investigate these deaths and prosecute all those responsible.”

In the interview with ACI Africa, the Church source said, “It is unfortunate that we have reports of killings in my country, Burkina Faso.”

Burkina Faso, the source recalled during the May 13 interview, “used to be a peaceful country ... we have some few issues with some terror groups; we hope that the security challenge is sorted.”

He confirmed armed attacks in North-central region of Burkina Faso in the jurisdiction of Ouahigouya Catholic Diocese and its neighbouring further North, Dori Catholic Diocese.

The Sunday, May 11 early morning attack disrupted activities at Charles de Foucauld Catholic Parish of Ouahigouya Diocese, including Holy Mass, which had to be rescheduled to late morning, the Church source told ACI Africa. 

The attacks have negatively impacted Church activities “because in some outstations, there is no more Mass, and some parishes had to be closed,” the source lamented.

He gave the example of his own family members, who have been victims of the attacks. He told ACI Africa, “For almost two years, my parents were obliged to leave the family house to be going around because of insecurity.”

Things have changed for the better, the source said, attributing the positive change to “the work, the commitment of the army, and togetherness of the population.”

“My parents have been able to go back to the village; they were even able to farm last year. So, for me, the situation is becoming normal; what we experienced some years ago seems to have been resolved,” the source said.

(Story continues below)

There are regions, where the army’s presence reassures the population. In such places, the source said, “the situation is normal, and people are able to go back to church and to pray.”

Asked about what the Church is doing amid the security concerns, the source said, “The church has always been an expert in peace communication. And since the beginning of the terrorist attacks, the church has always been vocal to denounce those terror movements, those terror attacks.”

Catholic Church leaders, the source went on to say, have “not only been denouncing the attacks but they have also taken some actions to make some special collections to provide for the victims of the attacks, including shelter, foodstuff, and blankets.”

“The church has always been close to those displaced people and has always supported all peace talks,” the source told ACI Africa on May 13, adding that Church leaders have spearheaded initiatives “that bring about resolutions” and that “people are really happy about what the church is doing.”

Asked to weigh in on the HRW report that has Burkinabè special forces and pro-government militias actively involved in atrocities against civilians, the source expressed doubt, saying they are possibly “media creations”.

“I don't think the government will stand against its own people,” the Church source said, adding, “For me, the government is doing its best in order to provide peace to its people and the government will never stand against the population of Burkina Faso.”

The source went on to caution the media against what he termed “propaganda” and confirmed that some international media have been banned from Burkina Faso.

The media, the source said, “make some kind of propaganda that is not helpful. Those kind of media were banned from the country.”

“The media is supposed to give the right information for people to know but sometimes they are taking part, supporting one part of the conflict.”

The Church source told ACI Africa that Christian hope gives him the confidence that Burkina Faso will overcome the security challenges.

“We continue to pray, to support the action of the government, the security agencies” the source said and went on to appeal “to all Burkinabe to remain together because division will always bring about division. Unless we are standing together, we will not have peace.”

“When we are divided, we become weak and then the enemy can easily do whatever it wants,” the source reiterated in the May 13 interview with ACI Africa, adding, “My appeal is for us to stand together as believers, as people of the same country, as brothers and sisters. Let us stand against the evil that is trying to divide us.”