Burkina Faso: descent, caning and threats in a refugee camp by SDS

Text by: Yaya Boudani

In Burkina Faso, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees condemns violence committed against Malian refugees in the Mentao camp in the Soum province. 

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From our correspondent in Ouagadougou

Last Saturday, following multiple attacks by armed men against gendarmes and transporters about ten kilometers from the Mentao refugee camp, the Burkinabè Defense and Security Forces decide to search the camp, looking for possible accomplices . " The elements of the military detachment secured the camp and the gendarmes proceeded to the search, " said a source on the spot. During the operation, several Malian refugees were beaten with batons, belts and cords, according to witnesses. Several wounded are evacuated to the hospital in Djibo.

" Such acts by the security forces are completely unacceptable, " said Millicent Mutuli, director of the UNHCR regional office for West and Central Africa in a statement. UNHCR has asked the authorities to initiate an investigation. Ioli Kimyaci, the representative of the institution in Burkina Faso recalls that the SDS have already entered the camp in the past. 

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Coralie Pierret

The soldiers are said to have ordered the refugees, accused of complicity with unidentified assailants, to leave the camp within 72 hours, under penalty of death.

According to an administrative source on the spot, no ultimatum was given in this direction, but refugees rather asked to join the city of Djibo after the descent of the defense forces. For the moment, no official reaction from the Burkinabè authorities.

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• Burkina Faso

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