Four Moroccan Truck Drivers Go Missing Near Burkina-Niger Border
Four Moroccan truck drivers went missing near the Burkina-Niger border in a region known for jihadist threats. They traveled without an escort despite rising concerns and previous attacks on transporters. The Moroccan embassy and local authorities are collaborating to locate the drivers, while an appeal for increased security in high-risk areas has been voiced by transport union representatives.
On Saturday, four Moroccan truck drivers went missing while traversing the perilous border region between Burkina Faso and Niger. Reports from the Moroccan embassy in Burkina Faso and a transport union indicate that three trucks, including one with a spare driver, vanished while traveling unescorted from Dori to Tera, an area plagued by jihadist activity.
The Burkina Faso and Niger governments, currently led by military juntas, are engaged in a fight against Islamist extremists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These groups have contributed significantly to the destabilization of several Sahel states over the past decade.
The embassy is coordinating efforts with Burkina Faso authorities to locate the missing drivers. Due to the high risk of militant attacks, authorities in Burkina Faso have been organizing security convoys to provide protection for trucks in this dangerous border area.
The trucks had departed after a week-long wait for an escort. El Charki El Hamchi, Secretary General of Morocco’s transporters’ union, stated that the trucks, carrying infrastructure equipment, had originated from Casablanca weeks prior. El Hamchi has called for increased security measures in high-risk regions, especially as the volume of Moroccan trucks traveling through the Sahel increases.
Earlier this month, a group of Moroccan trucks faced an attack near the Malian border with Mauritania, although there were no reported casualties following that incident.
The situation surrounding the Sahel region is characterized by increasing instability due to the activities of jihadist groups such as those affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These threats have made transportation routes, especially those linking various West African nations, extremely hazardous. The Moroccan government is increasingly concerned about the safety of its nationals who travel through these regions, necessitating heightened security measures and international cooperation.
In summary, the disappearance of four Moroccan truck drivers highlights the precarious conditions faced by those navigating the risky Burkina-Niger border. The rise in jihadist threats necessitates enhanced protective measures for transporters. The Moroccan authorities are actively seeking the missing individuals while calling for improved safety protocols in high-risk areas as transportation activities in the Sahel continue to grow.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
