Burkina Faso: Gendarmerie vehicle hits mine in Gourma province August 11

Event

A gendarmerie vehicle hit either a mine or an improvised explosive device (IED) in Burkina Faso’s eastern Gourma province on Saturday, August 11. At least five gendarmes and one civilian were killed in the blast. The vehicle was traveling between Ougarou and the Boungou mining site, approximately 100 km (62 mi) east from Fada. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Context

This is the second IED attack in the country’s East Region this year. The first incident occurred on March 10 near the Singou Natural Reserve, resulting in a vehicle being destroyed.

Terrorism has become an increasingly serious security threat in Burkina Faso, especially in the northern Sahel region, since 2015. Around 100 attacks and more than 100 related deaths have been recorded in the area. Educational institutions have been targeted and around 200 schools have been forced to close due to the insurgency. 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

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.