Abdoul Razac NAPON
The worsening security crisis is occurring against a backdrop of political realignment following the fall of Blaise Compaoré, institutional weakness, and an escalation of armed threats in the subregion. Initially concentrated in the northern regions, particularly in Soum Province, the attacks have gradually spread to a large part of the country. In this regard, the January 2016 attack in Ouagadougou marked a significant milestone in the internationalization of the threat.The first destabilization operations began with terrorist attacks targeting Westerners in hotels and cafés, coupled with kidnappings. Terrorist organizations subsequently attempted to take control of the Sahel region and the north through kidnappings and intimidation of local elected officials, as well as the assassinations of traditional and religious leaders in the north, the Sahel, the north-central region, and the east. These opinion leaders were seen as obstacles to their plans.Three terrorist groups have divided Burkina Faso among themselves.
