burkina faso

Burkina Faso’s wants to talk with Islamist militants

On Thursday, Burkina Faso’s government said that it was open to holding talks with Islamist militants, a position embraced by its neighbours in the Sahel region where terrorist attacks are recurrent.

Jihadists activities have grown in the region despite military operations to contain them.

France which has more than 5,000 military personnel in the region as part of a long-running operation intended to stop the insurgency is opposed to talks with the jihadists.

But Christophe Diabire, the Burkinabè Prime Minister told parliament that the government will not exclude talks with Islamists militants to secure peace in the country.

According to the Minister, “to end the security crisis it was important to address those responsible for the terrorist attacks.”

Burkina Faso’s neighbours Mali and Niger have previously indicated willingness to negotiate with the insurgents.

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Former Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, while in power, said that his government was preparing to negotiate with a local al-Qaeda affiliate. He was overthrown in a coup last year before any progress was made.

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