Burkina-Faso: Allegations of the presence of Liberian mercenaries on the border with Côte d’Ivoire. Is a destabilisation plan being prepared with the complicity of these two countries?

Are Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia complicit in a plot to destabilise Burkina Faso? This is the question that has been on the lips of Burkina Faso’s citizens ever since rumours spread of the presence of mercenaries from Liberia on the Burkina Faso-Côte d’Ivoire border.

Questioned on the issue at a press conference in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication and government spokesman, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, did not provide any specific details.

But he was keen to point out that Burkina Faso’s armed forces remain vigilant in their mission to secure and protect the national territory.

According to him, “all threats to security are closely monitored, with appropriate measures ready to be taken”.

However, it is important for the Liberian and Ivorian authorities to immediately open investigations at their level to ascertain the veracity of these rumours and to crack down with the utmost rigour to catch and discourage these ill-intentioned individuals who are planning to destabilise the country of men of integrity.

The West African sub-region is already in the grip of a security crisis as a result of the spread of terrorism, and Burkina Faso has been suffering the wrath of the jihadist hydra for several years.

These militia groups must be fought and banned to prevent them from aggravating the already poisonous security situation and disrupting the good relations of friendship and cooperation that Burkina enjoys with the two countries in question.

Burkina Faso’s defence and security forces are also keeping a close watch on the safety of the population and the integrity of the country.

Investigations are underway to unmask the mercenary groups and bring to light the manoeuvre in preparation.

Pedro OKALAMAR