Ivory Coast-Burkina Faso border areas pose fresh risks

Significance

The attack, which killed at least twelve members of the security forces, was an apparent act of revenge for the recent joint Ivorian-Burkinabe counterterrorist mission ‘Operation Comoe’. The attack shows a worrying similarity to jihadist operations in Burkina Faso, where militants regularly raid rural security posts.

Impacts

• Facing potential sporadic attacks, Ivorian security forces may struggle initially to attune to counterinsurgency tactics in the border area.
• Given the more potent insurgencies in northern and eastern Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou will not consider the south-west a top priority.
• Rumours over the alleged involvement of dissident Ivorian politicians in the latest attack could elevate tensions in the electoral arena.