Burkina Faso: Maouloud celebrations November 19-20

Event

Maouloud celebrations marking the birthday of the Prophet Mohamed are scheduled to take place nationwide beginning on the evening of Monday, November 19, and continuing until the next morning. Heavy traffic and related transportation disruptions are likely after sundown as Muslims gather for festivities. Tight security measures are also to be expected due to the associated heightened terrorist threat. Businesses, restaurants, and government administrations may operate on a reduced schedule on these two days.

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). According to an official account released in mid-September, jihadist attacks had killed at least 118 people since 2015, and at least 22 attacks had been recorded in the Est region since February 2018.

Advice

Individuals in Burkina Faso are to respect local costumes, allow additional time for travel, and avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.