The ruling junta in Burkina Faso has tightened security across the capital Ouagadougou following coordinated attacks in neighbouring Mali, security sources said Wednesday.
The move comes amid rising regional tension in the volatile Sahel, where military-led governments face persistent militant violence.
Burkina Faso’s security ministry on Tuesday announced a nationwide operation to reinforce safety and urged citizens to remain vigilant.
Authorities called on the public to report suspicious activity near sensitive sites, including military barracks, airports, and key government buildings.
A police source confirmed that a major security deployment has been launched in Ouagadougou and other regions of the country.
Security units have been positioned at strategic intersections across the capital to monitor movement and deter potential threats.
Another police source said the deployed forces will also collect operational intelligence linked to terrorism and criminal activity.
The measures follow intense militants and Tuareg rebel attacks in Mali, which, like Burkina Faso and Niger, is ruled by military authorities.
All three Sahel states have endured a decade of repeated assaults by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State.
A Burkinabe military source said the army remains on high alert, describing the situation as an ongoing state of war.
“Vigilance and watchfulness remain the order of the day,” the source said, noting that developments in Mali demand greater discipline and caution.
In Niger, the junta cancelled traditional May Day parades nationwide due to security concerns linked to regional instability.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast said its borders remain secure but warned it may face an influx of refugees fleeing violence in Mali.