The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahama, has condemned in the strongest terms, the abduction of more than 50 women and girls on 12 and 13 January 2023 in the Arbinda area in Burkina Faso’s northern Sahel Region, by unidentified armed men.
“While out in search of wild fruits, these wives, mothers and daughters were unjustly attacked by armed men,” the statement said. It added searches began as soon as the disappearances were reported, a government statement said.
Some of the women and girls were kidnapped around 15 kilometers from the town of Arbinda, while the others were taken from another locality in the Soum province.
The Chairperson called for the immediate release of the abducted women and girls, including their safe return to their families and communities.
The Chairperson further urged the national authorities to spare no efforts in bringing to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
He is particularly concerned by the targeting of women and girls by armed groups as part of their strategy to terrorise communities.
Faki Mahama reaffirmed the solidarity of the African Union with the brotherly nation of Burkina Faso and remains determined to support the authorities to return to constitutional order and work towards lasting peace.
Meanwhile, the Secretary-General of the UN also called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted women and girls and for their safe return to their families,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.
