Sahel Edition

Sahel: Insurgency is destabilizing Burkina Faso, with mass population displacement

Posted On 25 July 2021

Number of times this article was read : 196

Record numbers of people in Burkina Faso have become internally displaced or fled abroad as a result of jihadist violence, the UN’s Refugee Agency said on Friday.  In the first half of 2021, 237,000 people fled to other parts of Burkina Faso, compared to 96,000 registered during the second half of 2020, it said in a statement. The figures bring the tally of internally displaced to 1.3 million — six percent of the population — in just over two years. “The speed of internal displacement shows no sign of slowing as attacks on civilians and security forces continue unabated,” the UNHCR said.

One of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina has recorded more than 1,500 deaths since jihadists began to sweep in from neighbouring Mali in 2015. “UNHCR is equally alarmed by an acceleration in the numbers of  people from Burkina Faso forced to cross a border to reach safety,” the agency added. “Since January, more than 17,500 people have fled to neighbouring countries, nearly doubling the total number of refugees from the country in just six months. There are now 38,000 Burkinabe refugees and asylum seekers across the region.”

Of these, 20,000 are in Mali, followed by Niger, with 11,400. The UNHCR is appealing for $259 million (220 million euros) to meet its needs in the Sahel this year. “So far only half of the funds requested have been received,” it said.

AFP
Other Articles in this Week's Issue<< Covid-19: Sputnik V and Sinovac vaccines will be manufactured in Constantine, AlgeriaTunisia: Protests erupt in Tunisia against mediocre government >>

More on the Sahel

Brief: Fifteen Migrants Found Dead in a Boat off the Coast of Nouadhibou, Mauritania

Mauritanian authorities discovered a boat near Nouadhibou carrying 39 migrants, including nine deceased and ten in critical condition. Survivors, primarily from Senegal and Mali, reported that fifteen migrants died from exhaustion, though not all bodies were found. The deceased were buried by local authorities. Mauritania has become a key transit point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe via the Canary Islands.

Mali Keeps Pressuring Algeria, Accusing it of Interference

Mali has accused Algeria of interference and supporting terrorist groups after top Algerian diplomat criticized its counter-terrorism strategy. Bamako alleges Algeria maintains ties to insurgent groups, a reference to the Toureg tribes, 

The North Africa Journal's WhatsApp Group
.
Shield and Alert Sahel

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This