Burkina Faso outcry over 'conscription used to punish junta critics' - BBC News

An anaesthetist tells the BBC he was taken from his hospital for training to combat jihadists.

13 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsSahel Islamist insurgencyImage source, Arouna LouréBy Khadidiatou CisséBBC NewsIn what was widely seen as punishment for his strident criticism of Burkina Faso's military rulers, anaesthetist Arouna Louré was forced to go to the front lines of the battle against jihadists wreaking havoc in the West African state.

Dr Louré said he was with patients in the operating theatre at the hospital where he worked in the capital, Ouagadougou, when armed soldiers suddenly burst through the door.

"They made me understand they could make me leave using the gentle or the violent method," the 38-year-old told the BBC.

"Another doctor replaced me [in the theatre] and then we left," Dr Louré added.

He was bundled into a van by the soldiers and transported to a military training camp hundreds of miles away.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68166717?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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