Government of Burkina Faso Dismisses “Misleading” Footage, Warns Against Hate Speech
New videos circulating on social media show armed individuals escorting civilians to an unknown destination, with reports that elderly people and children struggling to keep up are threatened with knives. Other disturbing footage allegedly depicts lifeless bodies of civilians, reportedly from a massacre in Gayeri, a town in eastern Burkina Faso.
Government Reacts to Allegations
In response, the Burkinabè government has condemned the spread of what it calls “misleading” videos, claiming they falsely depict “ethnic massacres.”
A government statement described these videos as part of a “political-media campaign” aimed at tarnishing the country’s image and inciting community tensions. Officials insist that Burkina Faso remains committed to peace, ensuring the rights of all its citizens to live freely and with dignity on their ancestral land.
Legal Action Against Hate Speech in Burkina Faso
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Blaise Bazié has confirmed the launch of an investigation into messages inciting the “extermination” of people from specific ethnic groups, particularly targeting the Fulani community. Authorities have also issued an appeal for witnesses, urging the public to report anyone involved in the dissemination of hate speech online.
The government remains firm in its stance against violence, vowing to protect national unity and hold perpetrators accountable.
Source: AfricaNews