Rising violence risks deepening Burkinabe fault lines

Significance

The attacks targeting ethnic Peulh (Fulani) communities have been attributed to the ethnic Mossi-dominated 'Koglweogo' (Guardians of the Bush) vigilante group, in the latest intercommunal clashes related to a worsening jihadist insurgency. The government has promoted new regional and international initiatives to tackle the insurgency, but to little avail so far.

Impacts

• Worsening displacement will increase the pressures on struggling frontline regions such as the Centre-North.
• Public dissatisfaction with Kabore is growing: he risks losing in November’s scheduled polls, a rare event for Sahelian incumbents.
• Recent development projects will do little to overcome decades of neglect of the peripheries by the central government.