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Country analysis

Burkina Faso

The presence and activities of Islamist armed groups are increasingly affecting Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Nord, Est, Nord, and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso, although the influence of such groups can also be seen in the regions bordering Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso has become the epicentre of armed group violence in the Central Sahel region since 2019.

Several non-state armed groups are active in the country, including Ansarul Islam, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. As at December 2022, rising violence since 2019 had displaced more than 1.8 million people. The country also hosts more than 34,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Mali.

In 2022, armed groups surrounded certain towns in the northern regions of the country, such as Djibo, Sebba, and Titao, limiting humanitarian access and people’s access to services and livelihoods.

Food insecurity continues to rise because of several factors, including insecurity, declines in agricultural production in some provinces, inflation, and rising food prices.

Burkina Faso is also currently experiencing a political crisis. Two military coups occurred in 2022 alone.

(ACLED 03/11/2022, OCHA 03/02/2023, UNHCR 09/01/2023, UN 19/11/2022, Aljazeera 05/10/2022)

The presence and activities of Islamist armed groups are increasingly affecting Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-Nord, Est, Nord, and Sahel regions of Burkina Faso, although the influence of such groups can also be seen in the regions bordering Mali and Niger. Burkina Faso has become the epicentre of armed group violence in the Central Sahel region since 2019.

Several non-state armed groups are active in the country, including Ansarul Islam, the Group to Support Islam and Muslims, and Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. As at December 2022, rising violence since 2019 had displaced more than 1.8 million people. The country also hosts more than 34,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Mali.

In 2022, armed groups surrounded certain towns in the northern regions of the country, such as Djibo, Sebba, and Titao, limiting humanitarian access and people’s access to services and livelihoods.

Food insecurity continues to rise because of several factors, including insecurity, declines in agricultural production in some provinces, inflation, and rising food prices.

Burkina Faso is also currently experiencing a political crisis. Two military coups occurred in 2022 alone.

(ACLED 03/11/2022, OCHA 03/02/2023, UNHCR 09/01/2023, UN 19/11/2022, Aljazeera 05/10/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

09 July 2023

Since the start of July 2023, nearly 20 civilians have been killed in several attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) in Centre-Nord, Est, and Hauts-Bassins regions. On 7 July, NSAGs attacked Kogsablogo village (Centre-Nord) and burnt houses, motorcycles, and the market, forcing residents to flee. The persistent NSAG attacks and their clashes with the Burkinabe army and civilian auxiliary force volunteers continue to drive internal displacement. The Operational Coordination Group of the rapid response reported over 35,000 new registered IDPs in April, more than 66,900 in May, and over 12,700 in June, adding to the more than two million people already displaced. Humanitarian access to some IDPs in conflict-affected areas remains highly constrained because of insecurity linked to NSAG attacks against humanitarian convoys, the encirclement of villages, and the destruction of public services. IDPs need urgent assistance with food, shelter, NFIs, healthcare, and education. (ECHO 07/07/2023, OCHA 12/06/2023, Jeune Afrique 08/07/2023)

current crises
in Burkina Faso

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

BFA002 - Conflict

Last updated 31/08/2023

Drivers

Conflict
Displacement
Violence

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

4 High

Access constraints

4.0

Analysis products
on Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso: Conflict-induced displacement

06 April 2023

Burkina Faso: Conflict-induced displacement

DOCUMENT / PDF / 409 KB

The security situation in Burkina Faso is deteriorating, with increased activity from armed groups. Conflict and climatic shocks, combined with socioeconomic inequalities, have aggravated the access of affected people to food, water, and essential services. An estimated 4.7 million people are expected to need humanitarian assistance in 2023.

Conflict and violenceDisplacement
Côte d’Ivoire: Displacement from Burkina Faso

15 March 2023

Côte d’Ivoire: Displacement from Burkina Faso

DOCUMENT / PDF / 366 KB

Insecurity and attacks from non-state armed groups in Burkina Faso have reportedly forced entire villages to flee, with many crossing the border into neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire to seek safety. According to the National Security Council of Côte d’Ivoire, as at 2 Feburary, roughly 8,700 people from Burkina Faso had newly sought refuge in the country. 

Displacement

Attached resources

AudioLISTEN TO THE REPORT
Burkina Faso: Humanitarian overview of Djibo town

19 October 2022

Burkina Faso: Humanitarian overview of Djibo town

DOCUMENT / PDF / 204 KB

Since 17 February 2022, armed groups affiliated with the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin have surrounded Djibo town in Soum province, located at the border with Mali. The groups have been controlling the access routes to the city, preventing the entry and exit of people and goods. 

Conflict and violence
Scenarios: Humanitarian access in Central Sahel

31 March 2021

Scenarios: Humanitarian access in Central Sahel

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

Possible developments in humanitarian access in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger during 2021.

Humanitarian access

Attached resources

DocumentREAD THIS REPORT IN FRENCH
Central Sahel: Humanitarian access and civil-military coordination

28 January 2021

Central Sahel: Humanitarian access and civil-military coordination

DOCUMENT / PDF / 924 KB

Irregular and intercommunal conflict and sudden-onset disasters have increased humanitarian needs across the triborder region between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Humanitarian operating spaces have also been restricted.

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