A Catholic church in Burkina Faso became the site of tragedy as at least 15 individuals lost their lives and two others sustained injuries in what has been labeled a "terrorist" assault during Sunday mass, according to a statement from a high-ranking church official.

Jean-Pierre Sawadogo, the vicar general of the Dori diocese, condemned the ongoing violence plaguing Burkina Faso while urging for peace and security in the nation. He highlighted the recent attack on the Catholic community in Essakane village, where worshippers had gathered for their weekly prayers, resulting in the reported casualties.

Situated in the northeastern region of Burkina Faso, Essakane village lies near the borders with Mali and Niger, within the volatile "three borders" zone. This incident adds to a string of atrocities attributed to jihadist groups operating in the area, some of which have targeted Christian churches, while others have involved the abduction of religious figures.

Burkina Faso finds itself embroiled in a broader conflict against escalating violent extremism within the Sahel region. This surge in militant activity traces back to the aftermath of Libya's civil war in 2011 and the subsequent Islamist insurgency in northern Mali in 2012, which spilled over into neighboring countries like Burkina Faso and Niger starting in 2015.

The nation has grappled with political instability, evident in the two coups within a year, the latest one led by Capt Ibrahim Traoré in 2022. These coups partly stem from public dissatisfaction with the government's inability to contain the jihadist violence.

The toll of the violence in Burkina Faso is staggering, with approximately 20,000 lives lost and over 2 million individuals displaced out of a population of 24 million, underscoring the severity of the crisis.