Burkina Faso: Deadly ambush near Djibo September 26

Event

Unidentified assailants reportedly ambushed a mining company convoy using an improvised explosive device (IED) near Djibo (Soum province, northern Burkina Faso) on Tuesday, September 26. At least two policemen were killed and two others injured in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility.

Context

This incident marks the third such attack in the region in a week; on September 22 a police station was attacked and on September 23 a military patrol was ambushed in the same area.

Terrorism has become an increasing security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the volatile northern Sahel region. Dijibo, Soum’s provincial capital, has suffered from relatively frequent raids by Salafist groups, predominantly Ansarul Islam and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Meanwhile, criminal violence - much of which is interlinked with terrorist activity - has also increased.

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals in Burkina Faso 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.

Furthermore, due to serious threat of kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to be discreet regarding personal details, particularly information concerning nationality, employment, family, etc.

Some 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.