Burkina Faso critics want government to answer for bloodshed | News of Burkina Faso

The closed country in West Africa has seen a number of dangerous threats by armed groups allied with al-Qaeda and ISIL.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Burkina Faso, demanding strong action in the bloodshed following last month’s killing of more than 130 people.

Some had traveled hundreds of miles to attend a protest against the capital, Ouagadougou, as protesters hoisted the red and green flag of Burkinabe and blew the whistle on Saturday.

Allied forces linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) based in neighboring Mali have settled in the north and east of the country, and have begun attacking civilians.

“We must express our dissatisfaction, express the frustration of the citizens who are crying out for security and peace,” said anti-Alpha Yago protesters alongside the protests.

One protester had a sign with a picture of flag boxes with the words: “Mr. President, be brave in choosing this. We are satisfied!”

This was the first trip made by the opposition and government groups since President Roch Marc Christian Kabore he was re-elected last year.

Kabore appealed to those planning to relocate. But opposition leader Eddie Komboigo welcomed “the largest military force in the country despite the government’s boycott.”

“Today, from Dori to Kampti, from Dedougou to Diebougou, from Ouagadougou to Diapaga, people have staged protests against increasing security,” he said.

“In the first time in Kabore, more than 1,300 people were killed and 1.2 million people fled their homes.”

“We are afraid that the second phase will be worse than the first because since the beginning of the year we have had over 300 people.”

Anger has been rising since the night of June 4, at a vicious attack many years took place in the village of Solhan.

Armed men – including “youths between the ages of 12 and 14”, officials said – have killed at least 132 people, according to the government.

Local sources said the tax was available at 160, including many children.

Aristide Ouedraogo said that “based on recent developments in security operations, it was time to send strong leaders to reconcile.”

Chukwuemeka Eze, director general of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, said many in Burkina Faso were disappointed with the government.

“Every time there is an attack, the President is blocking their connection … and people are beginning to feel helpless, thinking that the increased number of threats is a weak evidence of the Burkina Faso government,” Eze told Al Jazeera.

“The government needs to work more closely with the opposition and the people… as well [it needs] to create some form of early warning based on the community, ”he added.

In response to growing anger, Kabore fired his security and defense ministers on Wednesday. Kabore himself took over the ministry of defense.

Despite the presence of UN peacekeepers, rebel attacks in West Africa in the Sahel have been on the rise since the beginning of the year, especially in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where people have been victims of atrocities.