In the aftermath of events in Solenzo, the Burkinabe government has issued a direct appeal to terrorists, urging them to end the ongoing conflict and lay down their arms.
“We are calling for the war to end and for the terrorists to lay down their arms because we do not need to multiply the number of victims. We must be able to work to develop Burkina Faso,” stated Government Spokesman Gilbert Ouedraogo in a televised address to the nation.
The government’s appeal comes amid controversy surrounding events that occurred in early March 2025 in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. Ouedraogo used the opportunity to vehemently deny reports of a massacre perpetrated by the Burkinabe army.
“Today, you saw for yourselves nearly 305 people who were said to have been exterminated by the Burkinabe army. This is completely false,” he declared, condemning what he described as “lying media” and “disinformation.”
Ouedraogo urged the public to rely only on “reputable media” for accurate information. He also reassured citizens that the government and security forces operate professionally and with respect for human rights.
“Those hoping to rouse the population against the government or undermine the morale of the defense and security forces, we tell them it’s a lost cause because the work is done professionally and we have no intention of compromising human rights,” he affirmed.
However, he issued a stern warning to those who continue to engage in armed conflict against the state. “Those who take up arms against Burkina Faso will face the force of the response, which is nothing other than death,” he stated.
The government also announced the transport of over 300 individuals, including children, women, and the elderly, to Ouagadougou. These individuals had reportedly been held in a forest by terrorists and used as human shields.
Burkina Faso, like its neighbors Mali and Niger, has been grappling with a jihadist insurgency since 2015. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of displaced people, contributing to two coups d’état in 2022. According to the Global Terrorism Index, Burkina Faso has become the country most severely affected by terrorism in recent years.
HO/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA