07/08/2019 Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) – A Bishop in Northern Burkina Faso has asked for the West to stop the flow of arms to Islamic extremists in Western Africa. Bishop Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré of Dori lives in northeast Burkin Faso and has seen firsthand the devastation and fear these groups have caused over the past several months. There have been at least 6 attacks on Christian communities in Northeast Burkina Faso since late April of this year.

On April 29, a Protestant pastor and five church members were executed in the town of Silgadji near the border of Mali. Then again on 12 may in the town of Dablo, 6 Catholics, including a priest, were killed outside their church. The following day on May 13, 4 Catholics were killed during a religious procession in the town of Zimtenga. Next, on the 26 May, four worshippers were killed in Our Lady of All Joy Church in the village of Toulfe. On June 9, 19 people were killed in the town of Arbinda when jihadists attacked. Another 13 were also injured. Finally, on June 27, Islamic extremists executed four Christians who they found carrying crucifixes in the town of Bani.

Bishop Dabire is asking for countries who have the power, to ensure that these attacks are stopped and that the extremists are not allowed to get weapons. He is concerned that if the situation is not changed, all of Burkina Faso could be attacked, and Christians will continue to suffer there. Not only this, but extremism will also be able to continue spreading further throughout West Africa as well. Please continue to pray for the Christians in West Africa, and specifically Burkina Faso, who are suffering at the hands of extremists.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].