Burkina Faso: Terrorist attack drill in Ouagadougou May 16

Event

The Ministry of Security has released a communiqué announcing that security forces will stage a counter-terrorism training simulation at two hotels in the capital Ouagadougou on Tuesday, May 16. According to the ministry, simulated attacks and security force responses will be held at the Azalai Hotel in the city center and at the now-closed Rayis Hotel in the city’s west. The gendarmerie and national police will conduct the exercises, during which shots will be heard.

Context

Recent terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou have pushed the government to intensify the anti-terrorism training of security forces and establish new, special counter-terrorism units. The new anti-terrorism units along with a new anti-banditry unit are currently training to act as a joint rapid response unit, to carry out operations before more elite units arrive on the scene in the event of an attack in the capital. According to a Security Ministry official, the results of Tuesday’s exercises will be studied at a meeting at a future date in Dakar, Senegal.

Outside the capital, an increasing number of attacks have been reported along the Malian border, where security conditions appear to be deteriorating. Multinational military operations are regularly carried out to locate and eradicate terrorist and militant groups along the Mali-Burkinabe border, with an increased level of cooperation between the two countries recently reported.

Advice

Due to the serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to be discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc. Individuals are also advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners, to remain vigilant at all times (especially in local markets, now used by terrorists as recruitment grounds), and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. A number of Western governments advise against all travel to areas within 50 km (30 mi) of the Malian border above the Dori-Niangoloko line. Nonessential travel to the western city of Bobo-Dioulasso and border regions of Tapoa province is also advised against due to unstable security conditions along the borders.