Burkina Faso's junta has called on citizens to report suspicious neighbors and actions in in the name of national security as the African country from the Sahel region struggles with an almost decade-long jihadist insurgency, Reuters reported, citing BTA.
„The Minister of Security... reiterates his call for increased vigilance to the brave population of Burkina Faso and urges (citizens) to report any suspicious person, movement or object,” the security ministry said in a statement yesterday.
In the statement, citizens are warned not to park for a long time near “sensitive places”, not to take photos of sensitive “facilities” and not provide information such as security force positions, facilities or strategic routes that could facilitate a terrorist attack.
Citizens of Burkina Faso are also urged not to rent out cars or houses without collecting adequate information about the tenants.
Burkina Faso's military leaders, who seized power in a coup in 2022, have been heavily criticized by human rights groups for the measures they are taking in the name of national security.
„Amnesty International“ and “Human Rights Watch“ accused the junta of abducting and conscripting into its military units some of its critics, particularly its victims and representatives of civil society groups.
Burkina Faso and neighboring Mali and Niger have been fighting a jihadist insurgency that has spread across the Sahel since taking root in Mali 12 years ago.
Human rights groups and the UN have repeatedly accused Malian and Burkinabe troops of serious abuses against civilians suspected of collaborating with the jihadists.
Both armies deny wrongdoing.