In recent weeks, the eastern regions of Burkina Faso have witnessed a surge in violent attacks on civilians by non-state armed groups, driving thousands to seek refuge in neighboring Niger.
This unfolding humanitarian crisis has prompted urgent warnings from UN agencies.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a significant influx of displaced individuals into the Nigerien city of Téra, located in the Tillabéri region.
This area, already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, now faces additional strain due to the new arrivals.
“Amid a worrying security situation in Tillabéri, characterized by attacks from non-State armed groups, the asylum seekers can face further suspicions of being affiliated with these groups and risk being forcibly returned if their status as refugees is not recognized by the Government.”
UNHCR
Burkina Faso’s recent history has been marked by instability. Since 2022, when the military seized power, more than a third of the country has slipped beyond governmental control.
The broader Sahel region has similarly suffered from escalating violence. Jihadist insurgents, initially active in northern Mali, have extended their reach southward, spreading lawlessness across northern Burkina Faso and western Niger, and destabilizing neighboring countries.
In Tillabéri, the situation is dire. The region now shelters at least 223,400 internally displaced people from Niger and 36,500 Burkinabé asylum seekers.
The latest surge in violence in Burkina Faso’s Sahel Region, particularly in the Mansila, Kantcari, and Sempelga communes, has forced an additional 3,068 asylum seekers to flee to Téra by the end of June.
This influx has severely strained local resources and the resilience of host communities.
Urgent Humanitarian Aid Needed for Displaced Populations
The UNHCR has highlighted the challenges faced by these displaced populations. Continuing attacks and clashes along the Niger-Burkina Faso border have complicated humanitarian access and protection efforts.
The agency has been collaborating with local authorities and partners to pre-register 470 households, providing cash assistance to meet immediate needs and identifying more than 400 vulnerable individuals for rapid aid.
This group includes female heads of households, breastfeeding and pregnant women, and children with mental health issues or malnutrition.
Despite these efforts, the need for support remains urgent. Plans are underway to assist 600 households with emergency shelters and latrines, but there is also a need for food, nutritional kits, and further emergency shelters, “a critical priority, especially for malnourished children.”
This crisis unfolds against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape in Burkina Faso. Earlier this month, the military junta extended its rule until at least 2029, abandoning previously promised elections amid the ongoing insurgency.
This move solidifies the regime’s control well beyond the initial 21-month transitional period.
The junta justified its coup by claiming the need to restore order in a nation of 22.7 million people plagued by Islamist insurgent attacks.
The situation in Burkina Faso reflects a broader trend in West Africa, where a series of coups have led to a realignment of regional alliances.
Junta leaders in various countries have increasingly turned away from traditional Western partners, such as France and the United States, in favor of closer ties with Russia.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community’s response will be crucial in providing relief and stability to those affected.
The displacement of thousands of Burkinabé to Niger underscores the urgent need for comprehensive humanitarian aid and sustained efforts to address the root causes of instability in the Sahel region.
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