Threats in Burkina Faso

This item appears on page 19 of the August 2017 issue.

The US Department of State warns of the risks of traveling in Burkina Faso and recommends avoiding travel to the northern part of the Sahel region due to continuing threats to safety from terrorism. 

Known groups considered terrorist organizations that are active in Burkina Faso include Daesh (ISIL), al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and al-Murabitun. Violent extremist groups increased their activities in Burkina Faso’s Sahel region in 2016 and 2017, attacking police stations, Customs offices, military posts and schools in the cities of Koutougou, Intangom, Markoye, Tinakoff, Nassoumbou, Kourfayel and Baraboule.