The U.S. Government on Monday expressed dismay over the abduction of more than 50 women by suspected terrorists in northern Burkina Faso, sharing its thoughts with their families and loved ones.
«The United States is deeply concerned about the abduction of more than 50 women by violent extremists near Arbinda in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso on January 12-13,» read a statement released by the State Department.
The U.S. diplomacy has demanded that the abducted persons be returned «safe and sound» to their loved ones «immediately and unconditionally».
It also called for those responsible to be brought to justice «to the fullest extent of the law,» said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
«Our thoughts remain with the abductees, as well as their families and other loved ones,» Price said.
On January 12 and 13, more than 50 women in two groups were abducted by suspected terrorists in Burkina Faso’s northern department of Arbinda when they went out to pick fruit.
It later emerged that a third group of women had been abducted, bringing the number of people unaccounted for to nearly 80, a member of the Arbinda local security force told Radio France Internationale (RFI).
Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on Monday for the release of the abducted women.
«I am alarmed that dozens of women seeking food for their families were abducted in broad daylight, in what could be the first such attack deliberately targeting women in Burkina Faso,» he said in a statement.
In this regard, he called on the authorities to carry out an «effective, impartial and independent» investigation to identify those responsible and bring justice to the victims and their families.
The department of Arbinda, in the province of Soum, has been under terrorist blockade for several weeks, with repeated clashes taking place between the forces of the Burkina Faso Executive and these armed groups.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
