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UNHCR Sahel Crisis Response External Operational Update 01-15 May 2020

Countries
Burkina Faso
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UNHCR
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Undisrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sahel conflict continues to escalate and expand in the region, leaving coastal countries fearful that the violence may spill onto their territories.

In Burkina Faso, the first half of May 2020 was marked by the departure of most refugees from Mentao camp to the city of Djibo, following the violent incident of 2 May. Home to over 5,700 refugees, the camp is now almost empty.

In coordination with governments and partners, UNHCR is scaling up its response, focusing on addressing SGBV, ensuring access to education and shelter, in an environmentally conscious manner in a region affected by climate change.

OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

Political and security developments

▪ The Sahel continues to grapple with a dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 combined to the pre-existing challenges faced by the region. Despite increased international military support, the conflict continues to escalate, uninterrupted by the pandemic, especially in the Liptako-Gurma.

▪ In Burkina Faso, the security situation remains extremely critical especially in the Sahel, Nord and Est regions, where armed groups organized several ambushes against security forces causing the death of at least 15 soldiers in the first half of May 2020. Many civilians have also been killed during the counterinsurgency operations organized by the National Security Forces (NSF) and Koglweogo self-defence groups in response to these attacks. Refugees and IDPs are directly impacted by this climate of violence. On 2 May, anti-terrorist units entered the camp of Mentao near the city Djibo and searched several houses after an attack on soldiers earlier that day. Over 30 refugee men and boys were beaten by government forces. Although it is contested by the authorities, some refugees declared to have received an ultimatum to leave the camp in the next 72 hours. UNHCR issued a press statement condemning the violence and ensured the victims of the incident received medical support at the health centre in Djibo. The Government expressed its regrets about the incident and announced the opening of an investigation. Denying any ultimatum, authorities reiterated its determination in ensuring the respect of the civilian character of the refugee camps and to guarantee international protection and the respect of the rights of refugees on its territory. The Government also committed to strengthen security in the refugee camps while working on the relocation of refugees from Mentao to a safer area in coordination with UNHCR and all relevant actors.

▪ In Niger, in the Tillabery region, several incursions by jihadist groups targeted villages near the Malian border killing at least 20 civilians. These attacks reflect a willingness of these groups to demonstrate their strength in the area after significant setbacks against governmental forces and their allies. Looting shops, stealing cattle, the attackers forced the inhabitants of the villages to leave adding to an already dramatic internal displacement situation in the region and putting additional strain on fragile, overwhelmed host communities.

▪ Adding to an already complex situation, the Sahel has also seen clashes between local jihadist and insurgent groups since the beginning of May 2020. This growing tension between competing armed groups affiliated to the Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State risk further destabilizing an already fragile region and fueling conflict, violence and instability beyond the Sahel. On May 11, a joint operation was launched by Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso against jihadist armed groups near their shared border. This new development indicates that jihadist groups have been strengthening and expanding their range of operations, leaving coastal countries fearful that the violence may spill onto their territories.

▪ To reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their economies and to address the growing risk of a food crisis in the region, the countries of the Sahel are progressively easing the preventive measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus. Among other measures, the Government of Burkina Faso reopened the main markets in Ouagadougou, lifted the quarantine on over 15 cities, reinitiated inter-city public transportation and initiated the progressive reopening of mosques as of 2 May and of schools from 11 May for the classes who have exams this year. On 9 May, the Government of Mali lifted the nationwide curfew imposed since 25 March. In Niger, the Government has also lifted the lockdown on the city of Niamey and authorized the reopening of mosques on the condition that certain preventive measures were followed including respecting social distancing and the use of mouth masks and hydroalcoholic gel.