A tragic attack on a military detachment in east Burkina Faso has left the country reeling once again. The jihadist insurgency in the region caused a recurring act of violence that claimed the lives of 33 soldiers and left 12 others injured on Thursday.

The attack occurred in the military detachment of Ougarou, located in Burkina Faso’s Est Region. However, the army has reported that the besieged soldiers managed to take out at least 40 “terrorists” before reinforcements arrived.

Burkina Faso is just one of many West African nations struggling to contain violent Islamist insurgencies, which have spread across the region from neighbouring Mali over the past decade. This ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and displaced over two million.

Authorities’ struggle to regain control despite boosting security operations has led to an escalation of violence in the country in recent months.

Unfortunately, during anti-insurgency missions, the armed forces have also faced accusations of indiscriminately killing civilians, further complicating the already tragic situation.

Men dressed in army uniforms carried out a recent raid on a village in northern Burkina Faso, resulting in the deaths of at least 150 people, according to the United Nations. Such actions are unacceptable and emphasize the pressing need for military reform and accountability.

In response to this latest attack, the military-led government has condemned the violence and promised to investigate the events. However, frustrations over the authorities’ inability to protect civilians have already spurred two coups last year.

To create a safer and more stable future for all its citizens, the government must take swift and decisive action to protect them and ensure justice for those who have lost their lives. Only by doing so can Burkina Faso hope to quell the ongoing violence.