European Union Special Representative for the Sahel, Emanuela Del Re, on Wednesday deplored the wave of suspected jihadist terror attacks that have killed scores of people in Mali and Burkina Faso over the past week.
"I condemn the cowardly terrorist attacks on peaceful populations in Mali's Gao region. I urge Mali's transitional government to carry out a rigorous investigation," Del Re tweeted.
"We must do everything possible to protect local populations and their possessions," the tweet added.
Marauding militants on motorbikes slaughtered at least 51 people in Mali's Gao region on Sunday, the country's army said, cited by media reports.
Last Wednesday, 30 people including 11 civilians and 19 security personnel were killed by suspected jihadists in northern Burkina Faso, according to local officials quoted by media reports.
Largely impoverished civilians in Burkina Faso and Niger have experienced constant violence for almost a decade.
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