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January 28, 2006
Border tension in Burkina Faso
Following ongoing tensions between Burkina Faso and neighbours Cote d'Ivoire over the civil war there, there is now also a cross-border situation with Benin.
Cote d'Ivoire
In Cote d'Ivoire, the Burkinabe government and people have often been accused of siding with the northern rebels, an accusation denied by the Burkinabe government. They claim that the Burkinabe are being used as scapegoats for the problems there. Recently several Burkinabe were arrested and killed after attacks on a military camp in Abidjan, the capital of Cote d'Ivoire. But the press, quoting residents, claimed some of those arrested turned out to be gardeners, carpenters or security guards who were near the camp at the time of the attack. Cote d'Ivoire has been split in two for several years during this civil war, and the UN has called for sanctions against the Ivoirian government for blocking the peace process.
Benin
In Benin, it seems that, at least at this stage, the conflict is a relatively minor affair. Apparently, the Bariba people of Benin and the Mossi of Burkina Faso have clashed in recent years, accusing each other of land incursion. This week, Benin's top military officer accused Burkina Faso of launching an armed incursion into the Benin side of the area. The accusation was denied by Clement Sawadogo, the Burkinabe territorial minister, saying: "I categorically deny that there was any troop movement toward the border with Benin."
Please pray for peace and righteousness in Burkina. Thank you.
Tags: burkina faso africa benin burkina conflict cote d'ivoire
Posted by Keith at January 28, 2006 10:31 AM
