Radio France Internationale (RFI), which has been suspended in Burkina Faso, reported information on massacres of civilians.
Ouagadougou spoke of an attempt to “destabilise the country” and the Ministry of Defense “firmly denied RFI’s unfounded allegations.”
The French media outlet reported, according to Burkinabe authorities, in an article, the deaths of “more than 100 civilians in several villages in the north, with the army and VDP accused.”
For General Celestin Simpore, this is not the case and the French radio station’s objective is to destabilise the government in Ouagadougou.
“RFI’s allegations are serious and defamatory, and they seem aimed at destabilising the country,” he insisted in a statement. He added that these statements also aim to “tarnish the image of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the VDP, who work daily with courage and determination to protect the population and restore peace and security throughout the national territory.”
The Minister of Defense reiterated the government’s “unwavering commitment” to protecting civilians and strict respect for human rights in all operations carried out by the FDS and the VDP.
Therefore, he urged the public to be cautious about “propaganda information” published by certain media outlets aimed at creating division within Burkina Faso’s communities.
However, he reaffirmed the state’s determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and to ensure the security of all Burkinabe.
HO/ac/Sf/fss/as/APA