West African country Burkina Faso suspended radio networks, BBC and Voice of America (VOA) for their coverage of a report that accused the Burkinabe army of executing civilians.

West African country Burkina Faso suspended radio networks, BBC and Voice of America (VOA) for their coverage of a report that accused the Burkinabe army of executing civilians. The report was published by the international organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday (Apr 25). According to the report, military forces of Burkina Faso “summarily executed” 223 people in two villages in February. There were at least 56 children among the executed civilians. Superior Council for Communication of the country said that “the programmes of these two international radio networks broadcasting from Ouagadougou have been suspended for a period of two weeks.” Why did Burkina Faso suspend BBC and VOA? They cited BBC Africa and the VOA airing as well as publishing the report "accusing the Burkina army of abuses against the civilian population" on their digital platforms as the reason behind the suspension. They said that BBC and VOA broadcasts had “disinformation likely to discredit the Burkinabe army." “The [Superior Council of Communications] found the content of the article to be full of peremptory and tendentious statements against the Burkinabe army, without any tangible evidence, especially as the same article calls for an independent inquiry,” Burkina Faso’s media regulator said. Also read: '170 people executed' in attacks on Burkina villages: Prosecutor According to HRW, these "mass killings, among the worst army abuse in Burkina Faso since 2015, appear to be part of a widespread military campaign against civilians". Soldiers killed at least 44 people, including 20 children, in Nondin village, and 179 people, including 36 children, in nearby Soro village, according to its report. As per the Superior Council of Communications, HRW's report contains "peremptory and tendentious" claims against the army that are likely to cause public disorder. Not the first time This is not the first time the country has censored media. In 2023, Burkina Faso's government suspended France 24 broadcasts for airing a 19-second clip featuring Abou Obeida Youssef al-Annabi, the self-proclaimed leader of the Islamist armed group Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). The country, now under military rule, is led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, who seized power in a coup in September 2022, following another coup that toppled President Roch Marc Kabore eight months prior.

Burkina Faso suspends BBC, Voice of America for army mass killings coverage

Soldiers in Burkina Faso have deposed the government, closed the borders and taken control of the country. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore has reportedly been arrested.

Burkina Faso army seize power from President Roch Kabore

In the aftermath of a military takeover in Burkina Faso, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has "condemned attempted takeover of government by the force of arms".&nbsp;

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday (January 24) that Guterres has strongly condemned the takeover and also called on the coup leaders to lay down their weapons.&nbsp;

On Monday, Burkina Faso's army informed that it had ousted President Roch Kabore as they announced the takeover on state television.&nbsp;

Dujarric added that Guterres has asked the coup leaders "to ensure the protection of the physical integrity of the president and of the institutions of Burkina Faso".&nbsp;

The statement, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba and read by another officer, mentioned that the power shift has been done without violence. They also informed that those who are detained were at a secure location.&nbsp;

The army has dissolved the government and the national assembly, suspended the constitution and closed the country's borders as they cited the deterioration of the security situation in the country for the takeover.&nbsp;

The army said Kabore was unable to unite the West African nation and effectively respond to challenges, which include an Islamist insurgency.&nbsp;

The statement was made in the name of a previously unheard-of entity, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, or MPSR, its French-language acronym.

"MPSR, which includes all sections of the army, has decided to end President Kabore's post today," it said.

Where is President Roch Kabore?

The takeover was announced after two days of confusion and fear in Ouagadougou, the capital, where shootings erupted at army camps on Sunday.&nbsp;

However, the statement by the army appears to be conflicting with what has happened in the past two-to-three days.&nbsp;

Reuters report mentioned that several armoured vehicles belonging to the presidential fleet were spotted near Kabore's residence on Monday. The vehicles were riddled with bullets and one was even spattered with blood.

Security sources gave conflicting accounts of Kabore's situation, with some saying he was being detained by the coup organisers and others saying forces loyal to him had taken him to a secure location.&nbsp;

Kabore's whereabouts were unknown on Monday, with conflicting accounts of his situation.

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(With inputs from agencies)

In the aftermath of a military takeover in Burkina Faso, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has "condemned attempted takeover of government by the force of arms".

In the aftermath of a military takeover in Burkina Faso, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has "condemned attempted takeover of government by the force of arms". UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday (January 24) that Guterres has strongly condemned the takeover and also called on the coup leaders to lay down their weapons. On Monday, Burkina Faso's army informed that it had ousted President Roch Kabore as they announced the takeover on state television. Dujarric added that Guterres has asked the coup leaders "to ensure the protection of the physical integrity of the president and of the institutions of Burkina Faso". The statement, signed by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba and read by another officer, mentioned that the power shift has been done without violence. They also informed that those who are detained were at a secure location. The army has dissolved the government and the national assembly, suspended the constitution and closed the country's borders as they cited the deterioration of the security situation in the country for the takeover. The army said Kabore was unable to unite the West African nation and effectively respond to challenges, which include an Islamist insurgency. The statement was made in the name of a previously unheard-of entity, the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, or MPSR, its French-language acronym. "MPSR, which includes all sections of the army, has decided to end President Kabore's post today," it said. Where is President Roch Kabore? The takeover was announced after two days of confusion and fear in Ouagadougou, the capital, where shootings erupted at army camps on Sunday. However, the statement by the army appears to be conflicting with what has happened in the past two-to-three days. Reuters report mentioned that several armoured vehicles belonging to the presidential fleet were spotted near Kabore's residence on Monday. The vehicles were riddled with bullets and one was even spattered with blood. Security sources gave conflicting accounts of Kabore's situation, with some saying he was being detained by the coup organisers and others saying forces loyal to him had taken him to a secure location. Kabore's whereabouts were unknown on Monday, with conflicting accounts of his situation. × (With inputs from agencies)

Burkina Faso: UN chief asks coup leaders to lay down arms after military seized power

At least 43 people have been killed in attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said on Monday, in what local sources described as apparent vigilante reprisals for jihadist violence.

Burkina Faso has battled against a jihadist insurgency since 2015, but the conflict has also provoked attacks on Fulani herders who other communities accuse of supporting militants.

"On Sunday, attacks were carried out on the villages of Dinguila and Barga... in Yatenga province. The provisional toll is 43 victims," the government said in a statement.

The statement did not blame any group for the attack or mention the Fulani community.

According to local sources, Fulani people make up the bulk of the population of the villages. Since jihadists have recruited among the Fulani, other communities accuse them of supporting militants.

Vigilante reprisal attacks against Fulani villages have been on the rise.&nbsp;

A year ago, armed militia attacked the village of Yirgou and killed six people including the village chief, triggering a wave of violence between rival communities.

Burkina Faso is in the centre of the Sahel region where a militant insurgency has spread from Mali. Attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso killed at least 4,000 people in 2019, according to the United Nations.

At least 43 people have been killed in attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said on Monday, in what local sources described as apparent vigilante reprisals for jihadist violence.

At least 43 people have been killed in attacks in northern Burkina Faso, the government said on Monday, in what local sources described as apparent vigilante reprisals for jihadist violence. Burkina Faso has battled against a jihadist insurgency since 2015, but the conflict has also provoked attacks on Fulani herders who other communities accuse of supporting militants. "On Sunday, attacks were carried out on the villages of Dinguila and Barga... in Yatenga province. The provisional toll is 43 victims," the government said in a statement. The statement did not blame any group for the attack or mention the Fulani community. According to local sources, Fulani people make up the bulk of the population of the villages. Since jihadists have recruited among the Fulani, other communities accuse them of supporting militants. Vigilante reprisal attacks against Fulani villages have been on the rise. A year ago, armed militia attacked the village of Yirgou and killed six people including the village chief, triggering a wave of violence between rival communities. Burkina Faso is in the centre of the Sahel region where a militant insurgency has spread from Mali. Attacks in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso killed at least 4,000 people in 2019, according to the United Nations.

At least 43 killed in Burkina Faso over 'vigilante' attacks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/burkina-faso-army-says-32-terrorists-killed-in-two-operations-262748">Burkina Faso</a> militants killed at least 35 civilians, mostly female in northern Soum province on Tuesday.

During the clash with security forces at least 80 militants were killed as seven soldiers succumbed to injuries in of the deadliest attack in the country. According to government officials&nbsp;31 victims included women.&nbsp;

"A large group of terrorists simultaneously attacked the military base and the civilian population in Arbinda," the army chief of staff said in a statement.

The morning twin attack by bike bourne militants on a military base and Arbinda in Soum province led the military to respond backed by the country's Air Force. The attack lasted for several hours leading to large scale deaths.&nbsp;

"This barbaric attack resulted in the deaths of 35 civilian victims, most of them women," the country's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said in a Twitter post after the incident.

President Roch Marc Kabore has declared two days of national mourning after the attack shocked the country.&nbsp;

The army said it seized large cache of weapons after the fighting ended.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Burkina Faso militants killed at least 35 civilians, mostly female in northern Soum province on Tuesday. During the clash with security forces at least 80 militants were killed as seven soldiers succumbed to injuries in of the deadliest attack in the country.

Burkina Faso militants killed at least 35 civilians, mostly female in northern Soum province on Tuesday. During the clash with security forces at least 80 militants were killed as seven soldiers succumbed to injuries in of the deadliest attack in the country. According to government officials 31 victims included women. "A large group of terrorists simultaneously attacked the military base and the civilian population in Arbinda," the army chief of staff said in a statement. The morning twin attack by bike bourne militants on a military base and Arbinda in Soum province led the military to respond backed by the country's Air Force. The attack lasted for several hours leading to large scale deaths. "This barbaric attack resulted in the deaths of 35 civilian victims, most of them women," the country's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said in a Twitter post after the incident. President Roch Marc Kabore has declared two days of national mourning after the attack shocked the country. The army said it seized large cache of weapons after the fighting ended. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

At least 35 civilians killed in militant attack in Burkina Faso

The Burkina Faso army said on Sunday it had killed 32 "terrorists" in two operations in the north of the country after an attack on a patrol.

One soldier was killed in the operations, which come less than a month after 37 people were killed in an ambush on a convoy transporting employees of a Canadian mining company.

The army said 24 people were killed in the first operation on Friday and a further eight in a second on Saturday.

The first operation in Yorsala in Loroum province saw a number of women who "had been held and used by the terrorists as sex slaves" freed.

Arms, ammunition and other materials were also recovered in the second operation on the outskirts of Bourzanga in Bam province, the army statement added.

The impoverished and politically fragile Sahel country has been struggling to quell a rising jihadist revolt that has claimed hundreds of lives since early 2015.

The attacks -- typically hit-and-run raids on villages, road mines and suicide bombings -- have claimed nearly 700 lives across the country since early 2015, according to an AFP toll.&nbsp;

Almost 500,000 people have also been forced to flee their homes.

The attacks have been claimed by a range of jihadist groups, including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The country's badly equipped, poorly trained and underfunded security forces have been unable to stem the violence, which has intensified throughout 2019 to become almost daily.

The Sahel region, including Burkina Faso's neighbours Mali and Niger, has been afflicted by the violence despite the presence of the regional G5 Sahel force as well as French and US troops.

The Burkina Faso army said on Sunday it had killed 32 "terrorists" in two operations in the north of the country after an attack on a patrol. One soldier was killed in the operations, which come less than a month after 37 people were killed in an ambush on a convoy transporting employees of a Canadian mining company.

The Burkina Faso army said on Sunday it had killed 32 "terrorists" in two operations in the north of the country after an attack on a patrol. One soldier was killed in the operations, which come less than a month after 37 people were killed in an ambush on a convoy transporting employees of a Canadian mining company. The army said 24 people were killed in the first operation on Friday and a further eight in a second on Saturday. The first operation in Yorsala in Loroum province saw a number of women who "had been held and used by the terrorists as sex slaves" freed. Arms, ammunition and other materials were also recovered in the second operation on the outskirts of Bourzanga in Bam province, the army statement added. The impoverished and politically fragile Sahel country has been struggling to quell a rising jihadist revolt that has claimed hundreds of lives since early 2015. The attacks -- typically hit-and-run raids on villages, road mines and suicide bombings -- have claimed nearly 700 lives across the country since early 2015, according to an AFP toll. Almost 500,000 people have also been forced to flee their homes. The attacks have been claimed by a range of jihadist groups, including Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The country's badly equipped, poorly trained and underfunded security forces have been unable to stem the violence, which has intensified throughout 2019 to become almost daily. The Sahel region, including Burkina Faso's neighbours Mali and Niger, has been afflicted by the violence despite the presence of the regional G5 Sahel force as well as French and US troops.