APRA decries terror attack in Burkina Faso

…expresses concern over spread of mpox in DRC

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has condemned the recent terror attack in the Burkinabe town of Barsalogho in the Sanmatenga Province of the Republic, which killed many people and injured scores of persons.

In a statement issued by its secretary general, Omoniyi Ibietan, APRA expressed concern about the increasing terror attacks in Burkina Faso and other parts of Africa.

The statement read: “The umbrella body of practitioners and professionals of public relations in Africa hereby calls for the cessation of all forms of attacks, especially on unarmed people.

“We call for dialogue as a more civil approach to resolving conflicts instead of violent at tacks leading to destruction and catastrophic outcomes that leave the cont inent more devastated.

“We are gravely disturbed by this recent at tack in Burkina Faso, coming on the heels of the death of over 500 persons due to mpox scourge caused by the monkeypox virus ravaging the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, the hotbed of the health crisis; and the distressing floods caused by the collapse of the Arba’at Dam in the east of the Republic of Sudan, destroying or impacting about 70 communities and affecting telecommunication infrastructure and other utilities.

“These and many emergent humanitarian crises in Africa have been overwhelming enough for a great but challenged continent . Therefore, ent renched ter ror at tacks can only worsen effor ts at restor ing the glory of thec ontinent.

“As a body of communication managers, APRA reiterates its call for increased, sincere and responsible conversation and concrete actions among state actors and other stakeholders in Afrrca to addresst hese and future challenges, many of which are heralded by warning signs.

“Therefore, APRA calls on theWorld Health Organisat ion (WHO) to resume strengthening collaboration wi th the government and people of DRC because mpox is yet to be defeated as an existent ial global health issue.

“APRA stands in solidarity with the governments and people of Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Sudan. We commiserate with those who have lost family members and friends. We also wish those injured and displaced speedy recovery.”