The security services of Burkina Faso, plagued by recurrent jihadi violence, published on Thursday, June 8, 2023 a list of 20 «actively wanted terrorists», offering bonuses for their arrest or «neutralization» ranging from 150,000 to 275,000 euros. The individuals whose portraits have been broadcast on local media are “actively sought out for participation or complicity in the planning or conduct of terrorist acts.” ‘If you provide information that would allow the arrest or incapacitation of one of these individuals, you will receive the amount indicated on the photo of the person concerned,’ says a message from the Ministry of Security, published with the portraits.
At the top of the list are Sidibé Dramane alias Hamza and Diallo Moussa alias Abou Ganiou, aged 45 and 40 respectively. The Burkinabe authorities offer 180 million CFA francs (about 275,000 euros) for the capture of each of them. «Hamza» is a close friend of Malian Amadou Kufa, an important leader of the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (Jnim in Arabic), the main coalition affiliated with al-Qaeda in the Sahel. The list also includes leaders of katiba (combat unit of jihadist groups) including Dicko Hamadoun alias Suu-ka Maldê and Bolly Oumarou alias Oumi whose heads are priced for 175 million FCFA (265.00 euros) each. The wanted persons are all Burkinabè, mostly born in the northern region, with the exception of Sita Housseini alias Lookmann, a 33-year-old Nigerian.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been caught in a spiral of jihadi violence that had emerged in Mali and Niger a few years earlier and spread beyond their borders. More than 10,000 civilians and soldiers have been killed in the past seven years, according to NGOs, and more than two million internally displaced persons. According to the government, the army controls 65% of the national territory. The wanted persons are all Burkinabè, mostly born in the northern region, with the exception of Sita Housseini alias Lookmann, a 33-year-old Nigerian.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been caught in a spiral of jihadi violence that had emerged in Mali and Niger a few years earlier and spread beyond their borders. More than 10,000 civilians and soldiers have been killed in the past seven years, according to NGOs, and more than two million internally displaced persons. According to the government, the army controls 65% of the national territory. Burkina has been ruled since last September by a military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who came to power after a coup, the second in eight months.
