Burkina Faso: Former local official abducted in Soum province March 21

Event

Armed suspected militants riding motorcycles abducted a former Burkinabe municipal councilor in the village of Lassa (Soum province) on the evening of Wednesday, March 21 (local time). According to the Burkinabe Ministry of Security on March 22, the current location of the former local official remains unknown. Additional militant attacks and abductions are possible in northern Burkina Faso in the coming weeks.

Context

Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the volatile Sahel region. 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 recently increased.

Advice

Several Western governments advise against all travel to areas of the northern Sahel region, particularly areas within 40 km (25 mi) of the Malian border. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to traveling to such areas.

More generally, individuals across the country are advised to avoid public events and places frequented by Westerners due to the latent risk of terrorist activity and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.