Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Burkina Faso capital, Ouagadougou last Saturday in solidarity with families and relatives of soldiers killed in Burkina Faso latest convoy attack.
Heartbroken citizens filled the streets of Ouagadougou for the funeral of 27 soldiers killed in an ambush last month that triggered the country’s second coup this year.
The latest coup was initiated by a military unit fed up with rampant insecurity in the country.
Coffins of the fallen soldiers were wrapped in Burkinabe national colors with portraits of the soldiers.
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The state military personnel were killed on Sept. 26 while escorting a convoy that was delivering supplies to a northern town besieged by Islamist insurgents.
Some relatives at the funeral in Ouagadougou could not hold their tears as the coffins of their loved one were lowed into the graves.
“It really hurts to see young people in their prime leaving. People are saddened and sickened by the situation we are experiencing,” a friend of one of the soldiers- Abdoul Fatao Bangue said in tears.
Thousands of civilians have been killed series of raids on rural communities in the poverty stricken West African country by groups linked to the Al Qaeda and Islamic State since 2015.
Militants linked to the insurgent groups have blockaded parts of the arid north, causing acute food shortages for thousands of civilians in the area.
Group of Army officers led by Captain Ibrahim Traore overthrew President Paul-Henri Damiba on Sept. 30, four days after the attack.
Captain Ibrahim Traore’s leadership has promised greater security for Burkina Faso after a successful takeover.
Damiba made similar promise in January following the coup under his command only for the attacks to continue.
Militants have for years taken control of Djibo and isolated it 200 kilometres (120 miles) away from the capital Ouagadougou using explosive devices and mounted several illegal checkpoints in the captured territory.
The insurgents also have cut off food and medical supplies, including treatment aid to malnourished children.
Army convoys sendeing foob and medical supplies face the risk of attacks.
The militants have restricted freedom of movement including residents access their farms or cattle.
Residents disclosed that anyone who attempts leaving the area risks being killed.
Only humanitarian flights that are struggling to meet residents’ needs are able to get in the captured zone.
Alfarock Ag-Almoustakine, a project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Djibo said he is shocked by how fast the situation has deteriorated throughout these past months.
“We really hope that all parties can find a solution to supply the city as quickly as possible to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe,” Alfarock Ag-Almoustakine stressed.
