Title: Burkina Faso: one year after the coup, insecurity persists
Introduction :
On September 30, 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power in Burkina Faso, overthrowing Lieutenant-Colonel Damiba who had himself orchestrated a coup d’état a few months earlier. This military transition was intended to be a response to the growing insecurity in the country, particularly in the face of attacks by armed groups. However, one year after this change of regime, it is clear that insecurity persists despite the measures taken. This article reviews the current situation in Burkina Faso and the challenges the country faces.
Attacks on the decline but an alarming human toll:
Although the number of attacks has decreased slightly since the coup, falling from 2,500 to 1,700 between January and August this year, the number of victims has been steadily increasing. According to the NGO Acled, attacks by armed groups left 6,000 dead, compared to 4,100 the previous year. This violence has been concentrated mainly in the northern and eastern regions of the country, where towns like Dori and Ouahigouya have become almost inaccessible, depending on special convoys for their supplies.
Alarming humanitarian consequences:
Insecurity in Burkina Faso has also had significant humanitarian consequences. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), nearly 2 million Burkinabés are displaced within their own country, while 900 classes have had to be closed due to insecurity, depriving around 1 million people of children of their right to education. In addition, nearly 4.7 million people depend on humanitarian aid, or one in five Burkinabés. This humanitarian crisis highlights the urgency of an effective response to end insecurity in the country.
The challenges of military transition:
One year after the coup d’état, the question of political transition in Burkina Faso remains unresolved. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, current president of the military transition, initially declared that he did not envisage elections until the country was secure. However, with the persistence of insecurity, it is urgent to find solutions to allow the country to regain stability and guarantee a democratic process.
Conclusion :
A year after the coup d’état in Burkina Faso, the security situation has not improved, despite the efforts made by the military transition. Attacks by armed groups persist, leading to a significant increase in the number of victims and devastating humanitarian consequences. It is essential that the Burkinabe government, in collaboration with the international community, intensify its efforts to end insecurity and find lasting solutions for the well-being of the population.