Security pledge after terror attack kills 28
SECURITY is to be stepped up in Burkina Faso after al Qaeda militants in a vehicle from neighbouring Niger killed at least 28 people in an attack on a hotel and cafe popular with foreigners.
In a message to the nation, President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said the people of Burkina Faso must unite in the fight against terrorism.
He also announced security forces would be stepping up their efforts to thwart future attacks and asked people to comply with new restrictions.
Mr Kabore said: “These truly barbaric criminal acts carried out against innocent people, claimed by the criminal organisation al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) seek to destabilise our country and its republican institutions, and to under PAKISTANI mine efforts to build a democratic, quiet and prosperous nation.”
Three days of national mourning began yesterday after Burkinabe and French forces ended a more than 12-hour siege at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou.
When the gunfire and explosions finally stopped, authorities said 18 were killed in the hotel and 10 were killed at the nearby Cappuccino Cafe.
Among the victims were the wife and young daughter of Italian Gaetan Santomano, who owned the cafe.
Government officials say the toll also includes six Canadians, five Burkinabes, two Swiss nationals, two French citizens and one American.
An Australian couple in their 80s have also reportedly been kidnapped and held by militants.