4/24/2024 Burkina Faso (International Christian Concern) — Young catechist Edouard Yougbare was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists on April 19 in Burkina Faso.  

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare,” said Maria Lozano, press director for Aid to the Church in Need. “He served his community faithfully, and his death is a devastating blow for the people of Saatenga.” 

Those who killed Yougbare have also reportedly kidnapped and murdered many others in the community. 

Burkina Faso, located in Africa’s Sahel region, shares its northern border with Niger and Mali. As a result, the country is no stranger to Islamic extremism. Within the borders of Burkina Faso, three known terrorist groups, Ansaroul Islam, Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS), and Jamaat Nasr al-Islam, perpetuate violence and corruption.  

Of the Burkina Faso’s 21.9 million people, nearly 64% are Muslim (predominantly Sunni), about 20% are Roman Catholic, more than 6% are Protestant, and 9% hold Indigenous beliefs. While the country’s secular constitution provides citizens the right to choose or change religion, the coup d’etat that occurred in 2022 and the pervading corruption that followed have nullified the rights guaranteed by the original government.  

As a result of the corruption and increased presence of Islamic extremists and jihadists, stories like Yougbare’s are not entirely uncommon in Burkina Faso.  

We pray that God’s love will comfort Yougbare’s family, and we pray for justice for those who committed the violent acts against him. 

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