Security Situation in Burkina Faso

Burkina is currently suffering from the worst crisis of terror since International Needs started working in the area. In February of 2024 United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres pointed to this area of Africa as: The new epicenter of global terrorism. A report published by the Geopolitical Monitor stated that there have been over 1800 terror attacks in the region as of August of 2023 with no signs of lessening. Most of the militant units are comprised of local fighters but have been increasingly bolstered by foreign fighters, driven from the conflicts in Iraq, and Syria, and enticed with offers of money, a weapon and a motorbike.

Motivation for the jihadis includes both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS) center around the destabilization of relations between Muslims and Christians, and the creation of an ISIS state or caliphate within Niger, Mali, and Burkina. The violence has been made worse by continued political trouble in Burkina with two coups d’etat – both in 2022 just months apart. The Burkina military regime is disconnecting from French and Western involvement and is now embracing Russian military operatives interested in the precious metals that Burkina has in rich supply.

The terrorists are murdering people in villages and churches who are going about their daily business in rural areas. They escape to Bobo to find protection provided by government forces protecting the city. Many people have witnessed family members and friends murdered at the hands of Islamist gunmen and the violence is escalating. It is estimated that almost two million people have now left rural areas in fear for their lives and have found relative safety in the two major cities, Ouagadougou, and Bobo Dioulasso.

If you would like to see more about the programs and what International Needs is doing to support the people of Burkina Faso, you can check out this story here.