Ouagadougou, April 4, 2023: A Zambian brother belonging to the Missionaries of Africa has been killed in Burkina Faso.
Father Didier Sawadogo, the congregation’s West Africa provincial, announced the death of Brother Moses Simukonde. The death has been described by Burkinabe authorities as a “tragic accident.”
Father Sawadogo said Brother Simukonde was killed March 29, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. He was 34. He had served as a missionary in Niger and Burkina Faso for six years until his death.
a Missionary of Africa representative in Rome told Agenzia Fides that the tragedy occurred around 9 pm, when the brother was passing near the checkpoint set up by the military police.
“Soldiers fired several times at individuals whom they thought were a threat. Unfortunately, one of the shots hit Brother Moses, killing him. The military police have apologized in an official letter to our congregation and to the missionary brother’s family,” he added.
When the tragic killing happened, Brother Moses was in a vehicle on his way to the airport to pick up a guest.
He was born on June 28, 1988, in Monze, Zambia. He was trained and served in Kenya.
Burkina Faso authorities on March 30 declared a state of emergency from midnight that effectively placed 22 of Burkina Faso’s 45 provinces under restrictions.
Recently, two Jihadist groups Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and Ansaroul Islam, have stepped-up terrorist activities in several cities of Burkin Faso, including the capital. The militants indiscriminately target military establishments, schools, government, churches, mosques and ordinary civilians travelling between cities.
Source: indcatholicnews.com