UNITED NATIONS, Jan 18 (NNN-Xinhua) — The United Nations called for the immediate release of 50 women and girls who were abducted in Burkina Faso last week while looking for food.
Unidentified armed groups reportedly kidnapped the women and girls on Thursday and Friday near the town of Arbinda, located in the north.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned the incident.
“The secretary-general calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted women and girls and for their safe return to their families,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement.
Guterres urged the authorities to “spare no efforts in bringing those responsible for this crime to justice.”
In addition, he pledged the UN’s commitment to continue working with the West African country and international partners, including improving civilian protection and supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Turk, has also called for the perpetrators to be held to account.
West African and Sahel countries continue to face multiple challenges, including “unprecedented” levels of insecurity, the UN Security Council heard earlier this month.
Giovanie Biha, officer-in-charge of the UN office for the region, UNOWAS, said activities by armed groups, violent extremists and criminal networks have forced the closure of thousands of schools and health centres, and displaced millions. — NNN-XINHUA
