There has been growing international compassion and support to the country after last Friday’s attack.
Efforts continue in Burkina Faso to track down jihadists and curb further attacks by terrorist groups after Friday, January 15, 2016 explosives attacks in Splendid Hotel and the nearby Cappuccino café, all in the capital Ouagadougou leaving at least 29 people dead.
RFI reported that police has continued investigation on the site of the attack to find out indicators that will help identify the attackers and their home-based accomplices. Many witnesses have reportedly said that there were at least four attackers who came on foot carrying their weapons. Sources say the jihadists hired rooms in the Splendid Hotel and therein lived with a woman. Diplomatic sources say 12 French investigators made up of six Gendarmes and six Policemen got to Ouagadougou on Sunday to help in the investigation. Meanwhile, Burkinabe security forces continue to search all vehicles that pass around the site of the attack. The forces have also continued to arrest and interrogate suspects.
BBC reported that Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said the jihadist group al-Murabitoun was behind the attack. The two said they were jointly behind a similar attack on a hotel in Mali in November where 22 people were killed.
Neighbouring Mali that has in recent times suffered from several terrorist attacks has shown compassion to Burkina Faso and had vowed to help Burkina Faso tackle the terrorist groups.
The Malian Prime Minister Modibo Keita travelled to Burkina Faso on Sunday. He told the Burkinabe authorities that, "Mali has experienced such events and continues to experience them." He then promised, "It is thus our duty to come here and express our compassion and say that we have decided to go forward together, hand in hand, to fight against terrorism and jihadism," BBC quoted him as saying.
The United States of America government has joined in condemning the attacks. The White House in a statement warned that "acts of terrorism will not stop efforts by brave Americans and others from around the world" who work to "strengthen democracy, improve health care and increase economic opportunities" in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in the developing world.
