Four Moroccan truck drivers went missing while crossing the problematic Burkina Faso-Niger border. They vanished along with three trucks that had set off unescorted into a region impacted by jihadist threats. Amid the ongoing conflict, Moroccan authorities are collaborating with local officials to undertake search efforts. Calls for increased security measures continue as threats against truck convoys persist in the Sahel region.
On Saturday, four Moroccan truck drivers were reported missing while traversing the volatile border region between Burkina Faso and Niger. According to sources from the Moroccan embassy in Burkina Faso and the Moroccan transport union, the disappearance occurred as three trucks moved from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger without an escort, in an area notorious for jihadist activities.
Burkina Faso and Niger, both led by military juntas, are engaged in ongoing conflicts against Islamist militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, which have caused significant instability across the Sahel region over the past ten years. A diplomatic representative stated that the Moroccan embassy is collaborating with local authorities to locate the missing drivers.
To enhance safety for truck drivers, authorities in Burkina Faso have been organizing security convoys to protect against potential militant threats in the hazardous border area. Unfortunately, the Moroccan trucks departed after waiting a week without receiving an escort. El Charki El Hamchi, Secretary General of the Moroccan transporters’ union, emphasized the need for increased security in high-risk areas, given the rising number of Moroccan trucks crossing the Sahel.
Earlier this month, a convoy of Moroccan trucks was reportedly attacked near the Malian border with Mauritania; thankfully, there were no casualties reported in that incident. El Hamchi advocates for improved protective measures for truck drivers in light of these threats.
The Sahel region, particularly the borders of Burkina Faso and Niger, has become increasingly dangerous due to the rise of Islamist groups conducting acts of violence and destabilization over the last decade. These groups frequently attack transportation convoys and have caused significant unrest that has affected local and international logistics. Efforts by local governments to facilitate safety through the organization of security convoys aim to mitigate these risks, although challenges remain, particularly when drivers embark without sufficient escort. The ongoing conflict has prompted various international stakeholders to reassess their safety protocols for transporting goods across these regions.
The disappearance of the four Moroccan truck drivers highlights the ongoing challenges of security in the Sahel, particularly across the Burkina Faso-Niger border. As local authorities work closely with Moroccan diplomats to locate the missing individuals, the need for enhanced protective measures for truck convoys is becoming increasingly crucial. Continuous acts of violence against transportation groups underscore the urgency of addressing security concerns in the region.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
