Burkinabes bemoan insecurity as politicians strategize for November polls

16 Mai 2020

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, May 16  (Infosplusgabon) - Burkina Faso's political class are neck deep in preparations for the country's presidential and legislative polls, scheduled for 22 November even as terrorist attacks and the coronavirus pandemic are posing a major obstacle.

Since 7 May, recruitment operations, which had been suspended because of coronavirus disease, have resumed, while in the face of the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the fragile security situation in several regions of the country, observers are questioning whether these elections will actually be held.

Terrorist attacks are increasing on the ground, and nowadays whole areas are beyond the control of the administration.

"Terrorists have planted their flags in places, and are even checking the identity papers of road users (...). Today, our region has reached a level where one wonders if there is a government worthy of the name, capable of guaranteeing definitive peace in this area and throughout the national territory," said deputy Ludovic Dramane Thiombiano, a member of the UPC and a native of the eastern region, at a press briefing on 7 May.

In the Sahel and northern regions, the absence of the administration is felt in several localities, according to reports.

While for some observers the situation is not conducive elections, others consider that it is the duty of the state to create the conditions for the smooth running of the elections.

The National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), for its part, has assured that it is technically and materially ready to take up the challenge.

However, the security situation continues to deteriorate.

On Monday, eight Burkinabe soldiers lost their lives and about 20 assailants were shot dead during an ambush against a unit of the Sebba military detachment in the Sahel region, a statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces said Wednesday.

Terrorist attacks, which have been almost daily since 2015, have so far killed more than 800 civilians and military personnel and plunged thousands of internally displaced persons into humanitarian crisis.

These terrorist attacks have also led to inter-community conflicts in some parts of the country. The Peule community is increasingly stigmatized, as some are accused of supporting certain armed groups.

During the night of Monday to Tuesday, 12 of the 25 people detained for acts of terrorism in Tanwalbougou were found dead in their cells in Fada N'Gourma, in eastern Burkina Faso, the Prosecutor of Faso said in a statement.

The coronavirus disease also aggravated the situation. "People are struggling to make ends meet even in safe areas because of the restrictions linked to the coronavirus," said Oumane Ouédraogo, an economist.

Meanwhile, staffs of political parties are working to develop mobilization strategies.

On 8 May, former President Blaise Compaoré's Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) elected businessman Eddie Komboïgo as its candidate for the presidential election.

The incumbent president, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, a former prime minister of former president Blaise Compaoré, Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo of the Alliance for Democracy and the African Democratic Federation/Reunion (ADF/RDA) and Tahirou Barry, a former culture minister, have already announced their intention to run for the presidency.

FIN/ INFOSPLUSGABON/LMK/GABON2020

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