Source: www.MNNonlne.org
Date: October 14, 2020
Burkina Faso (MNN) — A new report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom warns of increasing persecution in Burkina Faso. A factsheet released Friday calls for continued support from the U.S. government to protect religious liberty.
“[Thehttps://www.mnnonline.org/mission_groups/voice-of-the-martyrs-canada/">Voice of the Martyrs Canada spokesman Greg Musselman says.
“I appreciate what I’m seeing: [a reporthttps://www.mnnonline.org/?s=burkina+faso" target="_blank" rel="noopener">See our full coverage here.
Muslim extremists crept into Burkina Faso from neighboring Mali and Niger in recent years. As described here, President Kabore’s administration has struggled to contain the growing threat:
Despite a genuine desire by the Burkinabe government to protect its citizens’ rights to freedom of religion and belief, the federal government is overwhelmed by security crises. Recent tensions between competing jihadist groups in the region could further exacerbate these trends, as could further human rights abuses and lack of accountability for government-supported security forces.
Radicals don’t try to hide their intent. “It is very blatant – the killing and the kidnapping. They’re using violence against [peoplehttps://reports.unocha.org/en/country/burkina-faso" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN figures last updated in June.
A family displaced by violence within Burkina Faso finds shelter with relatives in Dori, May 2019. © UNHCR/Romain Desclous
“There is an incredible rise [ofhttps://www.vomcanada.com/contact.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get in touch with VOM Canada to learn how you can come alongside persecuted Christians in Burkina Faso. “We will be making contact [with field staff] in the days ahead to find out how we can strengthen our brothers and sisters in Christ,” Musselman says.
“We need to look at what’s happening and how we can aid our brothers and sisters in Christ that are under intense persecution and suffering.”
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“By talking about this, Christians become aware of what’s taking place. That’s the first step. Then, the next part is how do we help? How do we interact with our brothers and sisters there?” Musselman says.
“Our concern first and foremost, as followers of Jesus, is [for] our brothers and sisters in Christ.”