The Threat of Cross-Border Terrorism in West Africa: A Case Study of Burkina Faso.

Abstract

Since 2016, Burkina Faso has witnessed increasing phenomena of cross border terrorism particularly, by the Al-Qaeda (AQIM) terrorist group, which has dire implications for Burkina Faso‘s national security and development. Towards this end, this particularly study was primarily concerned with exploring the national security and development ramifications of the cross border terrorism in Burkina Faso. The study employed the exploratory and descriptive qualitative research approaches which relied solely on secondary data sources (through literature review from books, journals articles, working papers, and online internet sites) for content data analyses. Major findings of the study reveals that, Burkina Faso‘s intervention in the Mali terrorist situation has caused Al-Qaeda to shifted attention from Mali and concentrated predominately in carrying out series of attacks in Burkina Faso since 2016 to date. In addition, the Al-Qaeda terrorist groups such as AQIM recruit unemployed or frustrated youth including some Fulani herdsmen in Burkina Faso to help them in carrying out their clandestine atrocious attacks. Subsequently, the study reveals that there are some structural systems and weaknesses which has made Burkina Faso susceptible to cross border terrorism such as globalization and its effects of trans organized crimes, the fragile security nature of the Sahel region, the porous border control systems in Burkina Faso, among others. Subsequently, the study shows that the main national security ramifications of the cross border terrorism in Burkina Faso include high tendency for escalating already existing political, religious and ethnic tensions existing in the country, proliferation of sophisticated small arms and other light weapons, perpetual insecurity and threats to citizens‘ lives, among others, whilst the development ramifications include disruption disruptions in major economic, agricultural and other business activities, among others. This study also shows that the major challenges confronting the effective tackling of cross border terrorism by Burkinabe Government include financial challenges, personnel constraints, and difficulty in obtaining reliable information, among others. The study also shows that there are some cues and lessons which could be taken by Ghana from the experience of the cross border terrorism in Burkina to be able to avert similar situation from happening in Ghana since Ghana is a neighbouring country to the south of Burkina Faso. Paramount among these lessons include nationwide deployment of military forces, equitable national development, the effective border control and effective participation in regional and international organizations. Towards this end, the study concludes that Burkina Faso‘s response (through regional and international security cooperation) to the emerging threats of cross border terrorism from the northern section of the country has been tardy and inadequate, hence contributing to persistence of the crisis even to date. The study finally recommends that the Burkina Faso Government should ensure that its state security institutions and personnel for engaging in counter terrorist operations should be adequately financed, well-resourced and equipped since it a major challenge faced by the institutions in providing quality service delivery.