Burkina Faso: Three wounded in grenade attack in Ouagadougou Nov. 27

Event

Three civilians were wounded in Ouagadougou on Monday, November 27 when assailants threw a grenade at French troops, shortly before the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron. According to local sources, two individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French military vehicle at 20:00 (local time). It remains unclear if the attack is directly linked to Macron's visit, or is a terrorist incident. Further violent incidents and protests are possible throughout the duration President Macron’s visit, scheduled to last through to November 29. An increased security presence and related traffic disruptions are likely.

In a separate incident, two people have been killed in two attacks that took place in Baraboulé, Soum province, and Kain, Yatenga province (north) near the Malian border late on Sunday night.

Context

President Macron is set to address Burkinabe and other African youths at the Joseph Ki-Zerbo Unviersity on Tuesday. He will also inaugurate West Africa’s largest solar plant, located in Zagtouli, near the capital. A coalition of seven civil society organizations had called for protests in the capital Ouagadougou on Monday to  denounce what they consider to be looting of natural resources by “imperialist” multinationals, as well as the French military presence in the country and the CFA franc as the national currency.

Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the volatile northern Sahel region. Terrorist attacks are usually attributed to the Ansarul Islam group and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Meanwhile, rates of criminal violence - much of which is interlinked with terrorist activity - have also increased.

Advice

Individuals in Burkina Faso should avoid all demonstrations due to risk of violence and anticipate potential transportation disruptions in the vicinity of any public gatherings.

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 border.