[Africa\Burkina Faso]
Rep. Bass: “I am saddened by this attack and would like to express my condolences to the people and government of Burkina Faso…The entire world needs to pay attention to what is happening in the Sahel.”
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Congressmember Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, issued the following statement in response to the recent jihadist attack in Burkina Faso that killed 35 civilians, most of them women. Seven members of security forces were also killed in this assault.
“I am saddened by this attack and would like to express my condolences to the people and government of Burkina Faso. The magnitude is particularly troubling. As usual, innocent civilians continue to bear the brunt of the increased insecurity, which has lead to the displacement of hundreds of thousands across the country. Rather than decreasing involvement in West Africa as the administration proposes, this is certainly the time to embrace international cooperation and support in the battle against an armed threat that has spread across the region. The entire world needs to pay attention to what is happening in the Sahel.”
The Christmas Eve attacks were followed by another attack Wednesday in which eleven soldiers were killed. Burkina authorities say 80 militants have been killed in what started as an assault on a military base. Reportedly, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
