Burkina Faso: Missionary accidentally killed by police

Brother Moses Simukonde

Source: Fides/Missionaries of Africa

A Zambian religious brother of the Missionaries of Africa has been killed in Burkina Faso.

Father Didier Sawadogo, West Africa Provincial of the Missionaries of Africa, announced the death of Brother Moses Simukonde, a Zambian national. The death has been described by Burkinabe authorities as a "tragic accident."

"Brother Simukonde was killed on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, at the age of 34 years. Six years of his life were spent in missionary life in Niger and Burkina Faso," said Father Sawadogo.

"The tragedy occurred around 9pm in the evening on 29 March, when our brother was passing near the checkpoint set up by the military police," a Missionary of Africa representative in Rome told Agenzia Fides. "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 apologised in an official letter to our congregation and to the missionary brother's family," said the Missionaries of Africa.

When the tragic killing happened, Brother Moses was in a vehicle on its way to the airport to pick up a guest.

He was born on 28 June 1988 in Monze, Zambia. He was trained and served in Kenya, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Burkina Faso authorities on 30 March declared a state of emergency that effectively placed 22 of Burkina Faso's 45 provinces under restrictions starting at 00:01 hours daily.

Recently, two Jihadist groups Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and Ansaroul Islam, have stepped-up terrorist activities in several cities of Burkin Faso, including the capital, Ouagadougou. The militants indiscriminately target military establishments, schools, government, churches, Mosques and ordinary civilians travelling between cities.