Burkina Faso reforms are unlikely to stem violence

Significance

Following a relative slackening of activity, 480 civilians were killed between May and August alone, bringing the total number of Burkinabe deaths since the first attacks in 2015 to more than 1,500. Insecurity seems to be disturbing wider social relations as well, with frequent community protests, deadly vigilante actions and clashes between artisanal miners and mine security forces.

Impacts

• The army’s questionable human rights record may hinder efforts to improve relations with local communities.
• Organised labour may seek to capitalise on government failures to press its own demands.
• Failure to reduce armed conflict in the border regions may encourage more violence in the country’s centre as well.