Newly circulated videos from Gayeri, a town in eastern Burkina Faso, have sparked widespread concern, showing civilians being escorted by armed individuals to an undisclosed location. Disturbingly, the footage includes elderly individuals and children who, unable to keep up, are seen being threatened with knives. In addition, other video clips reportedly depict the lifeless bodies of civilians, fueling claims of a massacre.
The government, however, has strongly condemned these videos, labeling them as part of a broader misinformation campaign. According to a government spokesperson, the footage is misleading and falsely portrays “ethnic massacres” that are not occurring. The government has claimed that these videos are intended to damage the country’s international reputation and stir up internal tensions.
The spokesperson also emphasized that the supposed aim of these materials is to provoke inter-ethnic conflict and destabilize Burkina Faso’s peaceful society. The statement reassured citizens that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the rights of all Burkinabè to live freely and with dignity on their ancestral land, and to promoting peace throughout the country.
In a related development, Burkina Faso’s prosecutor, Blaise Bazié, confirmed that an investigation had been launched into messages circulating online that incite the “extermination” of people from specific ethnic groups, particularly targeting the Fulani.
Authorities have called for public vigilance, urging people to report individuals spreading hate speech or incitement to violence on social media. This appeal is part of a wider effort to maintain social harmony and prevent any actions that might further escalate ethnic divisions within the country.
