Burkina Faso: Activities suspended at Ouagadougou university Dec. 19

Event

Educational activities have been suspended at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou as of Tuesday, December 19, following weeks of unrest. A students’ union has threatened a nationwide strike if sanctions are not lifted on one of its members; furthermore, the Federation of National Education and Research Workers’ Unions publicly denounced the university administration’s management of the crisis. Protests related to the crisis are possible in the coming days, as well as associated violence.

Context

The university administration sanctioned a student after an altercation broke out between two students at the university on December 6. Clashes broke out between opposing student groups on whether or not to strike over the sanctions, leading to multiple injuries and a heavy police presence on campus.

Advice

Individuals in Burkina Faso are advised to avoid all demonstrations due to risk of further violence and anticipate potential transportation disruptions in the immediate area of any public gatherings.

On a separate note, 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.