Burkina Faso: Gunmen carry out fatal attack in Kantchari (Tapoa province) August 3

Event

One person died and two others were wounded in an attack by unidentified gunmen in Kantchari department (Tapoa province; Est region) on Monday, August 5. The incident occurred in Kantchari's sector five. The armed men reportedly stormed the home of a municipal police officer and, having unsuccessfully tried to kidnap them, shot them dead and left two other family members with gunshot wounds. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and further details behind the motive are unclear.

A heightened security presence is expected in the vicinity of the incident in the near term and further militant activity is expected across the region in the medium term.

Context

Terrorism has become an increasingly severe security threat in Burkina Faso since 2015. Educational institutions, local government officials, and security forces are specifically targeted. Initially concentrated in the Sahel region, attacks have spread to other regions, including eastern Burkina Faso (Est region), which is also known for high crime rates. Attacks are usually attributed to Ansarul Islam and other groups affiliated with Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

Advice

Individuals in Burkina Faso are advised to monitor developments relating to the security situation, obey local regulations (e.g. state-of-emergency orders), and remain vigilant for criminal and militant activity.

Due to severe 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, and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.