Displacement crisis will cloud Burkina Faso’s polls

Significance

Displacement has shot up drastically since early 2019, thanks to insecurity in the north and east of the country, especially. Besides the serious short-term impacts on the economy and the November 22 presidential and legislative elections, the displacement crisis threatens to have long-term negative impacts on social cohesion.

Impacts

• Mass disenfranchisement would undermine the elections and the winner’s legitimacy, increasing protest and coup risks.
• Curbed cross-border movements due to domestic and neighbouring states' insecurity will raise economic and social difficulties for citizens.
• Even if broad swathes of voters are disenfranchised, the international community will likely accept the results.