Sahel: Dozens killed in ambush on convoy of Canadian gold miner Semafo in Burkina Faso

Posted On 6 November 2019

Number of times this article was read : 104

An escalation of attacks across the Sahel is now affecting mining operations, with Canadian firm Semafo reporting casualties among its employees.  At least 37 people were killed and dozens more wounded according to local authorities.

MEA Risk LLC reports that Quebec-based gold mining company Semafo acknowledged that a convoy of its employees was ambushed in on the road between Fada and the Boungou mine site in eastern Burkina Faso. The incident happened approximately 40 kilometers from the Boungou Mine.

The attack happened despite the five-bus convoy being escorted by the Burkina military personnel. Figures were not reported, but Semafo has experienced the third such incident, with the previous two attacks taking place in the area in summer of 2018.

Violence in the Sahel has experienced an exponential spike recently, mostly affecting Mali and northern Burkina Faso, despite pledges by the former colonial power, France, to crackdown on militant groups. An escalation of the conflict in the region is anticipated, as France is pressuring its European allies to send more troops.

 

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Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.

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