Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Security has announced the launch of “WIBGA-2,” an operation aimed at reinforcing security across the entire national territory. The military junta in power in the Sahelian country, which continues to face jihadist attacks, has tightened security measures in Ouagadougou and other parts of the country following unprecedented coordinated attacks in neighboring Mali, security sources told AFP on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, April 28, the Ministry officially confirmed the deployment of the “WIBGA-2” operation and called on citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior, particularly around sensitive infrastructure such as military barracks, airports, administrative buildings, and other sites of national importance.
“The army remains on high alert because we are at war”
“A significant security presence has been deployed in Ouagadougou and several other localities,” a police source stated. “In the capital, police units have been stationed at key intersections,” another source added. “Teams will also gather operational intelligence related to crime and terrorism,” the source explained.
These measures come a day after unprecedented attacks carried out by jihadist groups allied with rebels in neighboring Mali, a close ally of Burkina Faso and Niger. The three countries, all led by military juntas, are members of the Confederation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and are facing ongoing attacks from groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
“The army remains on high alert because we are at war. Vigilance and monitoring are always required, so this is not exceptional, even if the situation in Mali calls for increased rigor and alertness,” a Burkinabe military source emphasized.
Ivory Coast Says Its Borders Are Secure
Meanwhile, Niger’s military government announced on Wednesday, April 29, the cancellation of traditional May 1st Labor Day parades nationwide due to security concerns, according to a statement from the Ministry of Labor.
Earlier this month, on April 11, Burkina Faso conducted a simulated “terrorist attack” exercise in its economic capital, Bobo-Dioulasso, near the airport zone and the headquarters of the National Culture Week, whose festivities were launched on Saturday, April 25, by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
On Wednesday, the government of Ivory Coast, which borders both Mali and Burkina Faso, stated that its borders are secure. However, it acknowledged the possibility of an influx of refugees from neighboring countries, according to government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly following a Council of Ministers meeting.
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