Link to article: https://f24.my/87R9
Along Burkina Faso’s tri-border region with Niger and Mali, around 10 civilians were murdered by suspected jihadists, likely members of the Islamic State extremist group, and four were kidnapped. This happened near the border with Niger. This happened just days before 69 people were killed by gunmen in Niger, near the volatile tri-border as well. Troops have now been deployed in the area where the four were kidnapped. Most victims had their throats slit and vehicles burned. On October 29-30, armed groups invaded several communities in the northern Sahel region, looting property, stealing livestock, and kidnapping civilians. As one of the poorest countries of the world, Burkina Faso is finding it difficult to counter the insurgence of jihadist units linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group that entered from Mali in 2015.
With the extreme amounts of violence occurring around this area, it is necessary that the three states work together to quell the problem. The coup that recently occurred in Mali may make this difficult however, along with the economic weakness of all three states. Due to these problems, the UN should begin investing more resources into the area, which would have the added incentive of further weakening the Islamic State group. Until this situation is finished, however, it does not bode well for the development or peace of any of the three countries. All things considered, I doubt there will be any improvement in the near future until the international community finds a reason to care enough to assist.
This situation largely relates to the category of international security considering the compromised security of the three states has led to the rooting of jihadist groups around the tri-border zone. Both states – Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – and non-state actors, specifically the terrorist groups known as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, are involved. Additionally, though its involvement is limited, the IGO of the UN has its place in the predicament as well. The collective goods problem has its place here considering this nasty situation is barely receiving international attention simply because countries don’t really stand to gain anything from getting involved.