Notes from the field

As the conflict drags on in Burkina Faso's East, its impact on the region's population is growing - I recently spoke with a former municipal councilman from Soam (Matiacoali), living in Fada N'Gourma since 2019. He shares his perspectives on leaving his home, how he has found accessing available aid, and his outlook on the conflict's evolution. Overall, according to him "the war is still being fought" in Matiacoali; he doesn't foresee returning soon. Read his story: bit.ly/3gwINgK

"Armed with Kalashnikovs, the men demanded his name, from where he was coming, and what he was doing there. They asked him where he and his family lived. After the questioning and after visiting his family’s home, they released him. The next day, he learned that these armed men had killed one of his colleagues the night before." Over 65k people have fled their homes because of violent extremism in Burkina Faso's East region, nearly 1 million nationally. I recently spoke with a man from Namoungou (Burkina Faso), now living in Fada N'Gourma, who left his home fearing for his life and the safety of his family.  Due to limited support from the Burkinabè government and international partners, he says the people of the East are living "alone in the face of sad fates." Read his story: https://bit.ly/2FhTuD9.  Part one of a two-part series on the ongoing displacement crisis in Burkina Faso, sharing perspectives from those affected.

We are at a critical moment in preventing the spread of violent extremism in Burkina Faso and in West Africa. As military solutions and peace-building programming become increasingly the focus of Western involvement in the region, we cannot and must not forget the importance that basic service provision and critical infrastructure play in counteracting the drivers of radicalization.