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Burkina Faso’s UN chief condemns killings by armed groups

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Children of around 6,000 ethnic Fulanis who have been displaced by attacks, gather in a makeshift camp for the displaced in Youba in Yatenga province in Burkina Faso, Monday, April 20, 2020. The West African nation continues to be wracked by violence linked to Islamic extremists and local defense militias, while security forces reportedly killed 31 unarmed men in the country's north earlier this month, hours after the men were detained during a government counterterrorism operation in the town of Djibo in the Sahel region, according to a report released Monday by Human Rights Watch. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick)

On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the killing of 50 people in Madjoari, east of Burkina Faso, by armed extremist groups.

In a statement, UN Chief Stephane Dujarric expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and urged the Burkinabe authorities to spare no effort in identifying and swiftly prosecuting those responsible.

As part of Guterres’ statement, the United Nations reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Burkina Faso in its efforts to prevent terrorism and violent extremism and ensure civilian rights.

It noted that two similar attacks in Madjoari on May 14 and 19 resulted in the death of 17 civilians and 11 soldiers, respectively.

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