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Burkina Faso’s ruling junta has tightened security in the capital Ouagadougou following coordinated attacks in neighbouring and allied Mali, security sources told AFP on Wednesday.
“A major security operation has been deployed in Ouagadougou and in other parts of the country,” a police source said on condition of anonymity.
A second police source said units have been sent to strategic intersections in the capital.
“The units will also be gathering operational intelligence related to crime and terrorism,” the source added.
On Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s security ministry announced the launch of an operation to strengthen security across the country and called for vigilance.
It also called on people to report any suspicious behaviour, particularly around sensitive infrastructure such as military barracks, airports, administrative buildings and other installations of national importance.
AFP was not able to independently verify the claim, which was made as the country’s ruling junta reported that the army was fighting off attacks across the country. Intense gunfire had been heard in Kidal earlier in the day.
The Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) said in a facebook message that “the city of Kidal has passed under the control of our armed forces”. (Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
A Burkinabe military source said the army was on “a state of alert because we are at war.”
“Vigilance and watchfulness are still the order of the day, so this (the security operation) is not exceptional even if the situation in Mali calls for greater rigour and vigilance,” the source added.
The measures came after unprecedented jihadist and Tuareg rebel attacks in Mali, which like Burkina Faso and their Sahel ally Niger is also run by the military. The three countries have faced repeated attacks from Al-Qaeda- and Islamic State-linked extremists for the last decade.
Niger’s junta on Wednesday cancelled its traditional May 1 parades across the country for security reasons.
The government of the Ivory Coast, which neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso to the south, said that its borders were secure but that it expected an “influx of refugees” as a result of the Mali attacks.
