Burkina Faso, where a military junta took power on January 24, is now on the front line of jihadist violence in the Sahel as Emmanuel Macron announced the departure of French troops to Mali: the majority of the territory is out of control of the state, the majority of cities surrounded, almost daily attacks. Also, in the streets of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the departure of the soldiers of Operation Barkhane could leave people indifferent, as the French intervention is considered ineffective by the majority of the population.
Burkina Faso is now on the front line of jihadist violence in the Sahel as Emmanuel Macron announced the departure of French troops from Mali: the majority of the territory is out of state control, the majority of towns surrounded, the attacks almost daily. Also, in the streets of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the departure of the soldiers of Operation Barkhane could leave people indifferent, as the French intervention is considered ineffective by the majority of the population.
“When you are in your yard, so says Adama, you take a guard to secure you and you have the impression that you are safe at times… and yet, despite everything, you are insecure! Barkhane just has to go away: we will ensure our safety.” The departure of Barkhane, however, places Burkina Faso at the epicenter of the threats. “I am not in favor of the departure of French support in the Sahel, says another resident. No country in the region has the means as Barkhane, for intelligence, air support. Perhaps we should rather review the way we fight…”
Colonialist, imperialist, paternalist. The labels seem unremovable. “France is not the policeman of the world, replies his neighbor. We don’t stay where we don’t want to stay. France does not have to impose anything on us.” Concerns, however, remain. It is not necessary, believe some, that Mali suffers the fate of Afghanistan, in the hands of the Taliban after the departure of American troops. Uncertainty continues for Burkinabés, plunged into hell for seven years already.