Burkina Faso: Three kidnapped in Djibo September 23

Event

Unidentified armed men abducted three people - a Burkinabe, an Indian, and a South African national - on Sunday, September 23. The two foreign nationals, employees of the Inata gold mine located in the northwest of the country, were reportedly traveling with their driver to Djibo (Soum province, Sahel region). According to security sources, the assailants behind the attack are believed to be members of one of various jihadist groups operating in the area and have probably fled to nearby Mali. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction as of September 24. Further related attacks are possible.

Context

Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the northern Sahel region, since 2015. Attacks are usually attributed to Ansarul Islam 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.

Two other foreign nationals abducted in northern Burkina Faso are still being held as of September 2018, including a Romanian mining worker abducted in 2015 and an Australian doctor abducted in 2016.

Advice

Due to the serious threats of terrorism and kidnapping, individuals present in Burkina Faso - including the capital Ouagadougou - 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.