Burkina Faso Insurgency

The rising attacks in Burkina Faso are very alarming. Better media coverage and response by the international community are needed. There is a striking similarity between the situation unfolding in Burkina Faso, and the humanitarian crises, and the growing insurgency in Northern Nigeria, and other parts of West Africa.  Insurgency and consequent violence can quickly destabilize a country, and displace many of its vulnerable citizens. As insurgent groups rise in Burkina Faso, there are increased village raids, suicide bombings, and violence. Communities are brutalized traumatized and exploited. Majority of the affected population are women and children. If we want to prevent the sexualized violence against women in conflict, an example being the abduction of the Chibok girls; there must be a careful focus on identifying the root causes, patterns, and consequences of these crises. Preemptive efforts must be made for their prevention. 

Since 2015, Burkina Faso has experienced an extreme increase in humanitarian crises due to the growing insurgency. Before 2015 Burkina Faso was able to avoid the violence that affected neighboring countries such as Chad, Niger, and Mali. However, because of militants crossing over into the country, attacks have become more frequent, each time claiming more lives than the last. These insurgents, who are Jihadist Muslim extremists, have used guerilla-style warfare including road-side bombing, and suicide bombing to terrorize the people, especially those in rural communities. Insurgency attacks could also be intensified by local groups that have risen in defense of Islamic extremism.  

In late December 2019, the insurgents attacked a town in northern Burkina Faso, and killed thirty-five citizens. The majority of them were women. They also attacked a Burkina Faso military base.  Burkina Faso’s President described these attacks as barbaric and cowardly. These rising attacks have caused thousands of people in Burkina Faso to flee their villages in order to avoid escalating violence. Many have become internally displaced. 

Less than a week after the December 2019 attack, insurgency groups attacked Burkina Faso by planting a bomb on a road frequented by local residents, resulting in a bus blast that killed at least fourteen people, the majority of them, young students. 

Burkina Faso, a once-peaceful country is now riddled with back-to-back attacks that have claimed the lives of hundreds and has displaced at least half a million people. Even though no groups have taken responsibility for the attacks happening in Burkina Faso, there are three Islamist extremist groups in Burkina Faso and surrounding areas: Ansarul Islam; the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims; and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. 

Growing insecurity and instability have affected Burkina Faso communities. Many of the schools considered “secular” by Muslim extremists were forced to close down due to growing threats. This is similar to the plight of displaced people in Northern Nigeria because they are experiencing the same kinds of violence and instability. Women and girls are often used as tactical and strategic tools during insurgencies. Thus, the women and children of Burkina Faso can easily become targets of insurgent groups, the military, and self-defense groups; just like the Chibok Girls.. The only way to prevent this from furthering internal displacement, exploitation and brutalization in affected communities, and to protect those most vulnerable, is for the Burkina Faso military to have a structured plan for dealing with insurgency groups, and to commit to protecting the people without committing humanitarian violations themselves. Media should cover this crisis as though the lives of people in Burkina Faso and the West and Central African region matter. Human Rights Watch and other similar groups should keep advocating for humanitarian assistance according to the best international practice. The UN should also have a hand in protecting vulnerable populations, peacebuilding, and holding guilty parties accountable. 

Map of Burkina Faso. Source: http://www.geographicguide.com/africa-maps/burkina.htm Accessed January 14, 2020