Idrissa Barry, a political activist with the Servir et Non Se Servir (SENS), was kidnapped near Ouagadougou. SENS condemned the abduction as a violation of human rights, emphasizing its threat to dissenting voices. This incident is set against a backdrop of recent alleged massacres of Fulani civilians and a broader context of violence in Burkina Faso.

On Tuesday, Idrissa Barry, a prominent political activist of the Servir et Non Se Servir (SENS) movement, was kidnapped near Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. His organization confirmed the abduction, which transpired while he was attending a meeting at the town hall in Saaba.

SENS has vocally condemned the abduction, labeling it a “brutal kidnapping” and an enforced disappearance that constitutes a violation of human rights. The organization emphasized that such actions are threats to all dissenting voices within the nation.

This incident arises amidst SENS’s recent criticisms of the alleged massacres of Fulani civilians in western Burkina Faso, which they claim involve the army and allied militias combating insurgents. Burkina Faso’s authorities have denied these allegations.

Disturbing videos circulating on social media reportedly depict numerous bloodied bodies, including those of women, children, and the elderly, presumed to be victims of these incidents. The Fulani community, often linked with insurgent factions in the Sahel, faces significant stigmatization and accusations of collusion with militants.

Burkina Faso, alongside neighboring Mali and Niger, has been enduring a rise in violence, resulting in considerable civilian and military fatalities in recent years. Critics have accused the government of employing violent measures, such as abductions and torture, to suppress opposition voices.

The kidnapping of Idrissa Barry highlights the escalating violence and suppression of dissent in Burkina Faso. SENS’s condemnation emphasizes the urgency of addressing human rights violations amid ongoing turmoil. The alarming trends of violence and stigmatization against the Fulani community further complicate the already tense situation in the region.

Original Source: newscentral.africa

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