Read this month’s CrisisWatch Conflict in Focus entry on Burkina Faso here.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard is joined by Jean-Hervé Jezequel, Crisis Group’s Sahel director, to discuss Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from the West African regional bloc ECOWAS, their fight against al-Qaeda and ISIS-linked militants and the future of military rule in the Sahel.
Large-scale violence continued while President Capt. Traoré reported recent coup; military authorities continued with authoritarian tactics.
Large-scale attacks underscored widespread violence and high civilian casualties. Suspected al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) jihadists 9 Aug attacked military convoy carrying over 1,000 civilians between Ougarou and Boungou towns, East region; local sources reported at least 130 soldiers, military auxiliaries and civilians killed or missing, with significant military equipment seized. JNIM 24 Aug attacked villagers digging trench to protect Barsalogho town, Centre-North region, reportedly killing hundreds; UN Sec Gen Guterres 27 Aug “strongly condemned” attack, which provoked domestic uproar. Other violence reported throughout month, in particular in Centre-North, East, Centre-East, Boucle du Mouhoun and Sahel regions. In East, unconfirmed local reports claimed at least 80 civilians killed during military 6-10 Aug anti-JNIM operations in Manni commune, East region.
Amid insecurity, president talked of “destabilisation” attempt. During national TV broadcast, Traoré 6 Aug alleged he had been subjected to and overcome recent coup; without providing specific details, president claimed security officials collaborated with jihadist groups supported by Western intelligence working from neighbouring country. Allegations remained unconfirmed but reports have emerged for several months of unrest within army, and July arrest of former senior military official may be related to incident; rumours of military instability likely to continue amid inability to address insecurity.
Govt’s repressive tendencies persisted. Traoré govt continued to silence dissent and any opposition to its interests; police 1 Aug arrested lawyer and civil society figure Guy-Hervé Kam – for third time in 2024 – for alleged involvement in “destabilisation”. Forcible enrolment in security forces continued; authorities 12 Aug ordered seven judicial officials to frontlines to fight jihadists; officials had reportedly been involved in recent legal decisions that went against figures close to govt. Magistrates union 15 Aug said decision intended as “humiliation and intimidation” and “sabotage of the authority of justice”. Unconfirmed social media reports mid-Aug alleged journalist previously sent to frontline had been killed.
In another important international development. Denmark 26 Aug announced closure of embassies in Burkina Faso and Mali (see Mali).
Tensions within the army [in Burkina Faso] have exacerbated over the past months because President Damiba has not been able to restore security in the country.
President Ibrahim Traoré has reinforced the role of Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDPs) in Burkina Faso's fight with jihadists. While VDP militias help secure national territory, their actions also fuel violence. With the help of external partners, the authorities should rein them in.
Crisis-ridden Mali and Burkina Faso face jihadist insurgency and political turmoil. In this excerpt from the Watch List 2023 – Spring Update, Crisis Group outlines what the EU and its member states can do to prevent these two countries from falling into further regional isolation.
Insurgents have established bases in an important nature reserve spanning parts of Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. They pose a growing danger to local ecosystems and people living around the park. The three countries need to collaborate more closely to keep the threat at bay.
On 4 September, Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba gave a speech reviewing his actions since he seized power on 24 January 2022. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Mathieu Pellerin and Rinaldo Depagne analyse this milestone.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood talks with Crisis Group expert Rinaldo Depagne about the coup in Burkina Faso, the latest in a series of military takeovers in Africa.
On 24 January, a military junta overthrew Burkina Faso’s president, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. In this Q&A, Crisis Group experts Mathieu Pellerin and Rinaldo Depagne explain how this latest coup confirms the failure of democratically elected regimes in West Africa.
Since 2013, when it sent troops to Mali, France has led international efforts to root out Islamist militancy from the Sahel. Yet the jihadist threat has grown. Paris and its partners should reorient their military-centred approach toward helping improve governance in the region.
Le Burkina Faso et le Niger se dirigent tous deux vers des élections générales. Rinaldo Depagne et Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim décryptent leurs enjeux et insistent sur la nécessité pour leurs vainqueurs de se pencher sur l’insécurité croissante dans les régions rurales, provoquée en grande partie par la présence de groupes jihadistes.
The proliferation of armed groups and the expanding footprint of jihadist groups fuelled violence in Burkina Faso in 2019. The government should adopt a more integrated approach to security and tackle the crisis in rural areas by resolving land disputes.
Receive the best source of conflict analysis right in your inbox.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Review our privacy policy for more details.