West Africa: Security forces foil terror plot targeting New Year celebrations

Event

On Wednesday, December 12, Malian security officials announced that a terror cell was dismantled in Koutiala (Sikasso region) on Thursday, December 6. According to reports, four suspected terrorists were arrested, including two Malian citizens, one Burkinabe, and one Ivoirian. The suspects were reportedly planning to carry out terror attacks targetting New Year's Eve celebrations in the cities of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Bamako (Mali), and Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). A heightened security presence is anticipated in the aforementioned countries in the coming weeks.

Context

Terrorism has become an increasingly severe threat in West Africa and the Sahel region.

Advice

Individuals in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire are advised to monitor the situation and to report any suspicious objects and behavior to the authorities.