Genvisec advises against all travel to the area of Burkina Faso north of the town of Boulsa. 

 

There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including places where foreigners gather. This threat is increased due to the possibility of retaliatory attacks following the French intervention in Mali. There is a heightened risk that terrorist groups may cross the northern borders from Mali and Niger into Burkina Faso to carry out kidnap attacks. See Terrorism.

 

Large-scale political demonstrations take place in cities and towns across the country. These are usually peaceful, but have occasionally turned violent. You should stay alert to local political developments, and avoid large crowds and demonstrations.

 

Crime

 

There is a risk of armed groups stopping vehicles (including public buses) to rob them, particularly at night.

 

Street crime poses high risks for visitors. Most incidents involve opportunist snatches of purses, wallets, jewellery and other valuables. Thieves are particularly active in crowds. The areas near and around the UN Circle and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest amount of street crime. You should take sensible precautions. Don’t carry valuables in public places or walk alone at night.

 

Sahel Region

 

There’s a very real threat of kidnap to westerners in the Sahel and surrounding region. The Sahel region includes Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The kidnap threat extends to other countries including Algeria, Cameroon, Libya and Nigeria. The threat has increased following the military intervention in Mali which began in January 2013. Further attacks are highly likely.

 

There are currently around 6 hostages being held in the Sahel and surrounding region, some of whom have been held for 2 years. Victims in the region have included construction workers, NGO workers, tourists and diplomats of various nationalities, primarily European. Some hostages have been killed, including 9 British nationals since 2009.

The terrorist threat in the Sahel and surrounding region comes from a number of groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) and Al Murabitun, a merger of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) and Mokhtar Belmokhtar’s group. These terrorist groups aspire to establish Islamic law in the region and to attack Western interests.

 

The groups carry out kidnappings of Westerners for financial gain, prisoner exchange and to exert political pressure on governments. Kidnapping for ransom is AQ-M’s primary source of finance.

 

AQ-M and regional Islamist groups operate in the border areas of northern Mali, Niger and Algeria. They have proven capability of travelling long distances to carry out attacks, including in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Criminal gangs also carry out kidnappings for terrorist groups in return for financial payment.

 

Terrorist groups in the region have also kidnapped 16 westerners in Cameroon and Nigeria since December 2012.

 

If you do choose to work in an area where the Genvisec advises against travel due to the high threat of kidnapping, you will need a high level of security. Make sure you:

 

Festivals

 

A number of festivals take place in the Sahel every year. If you’re planning to attend a festival in the region, you should consult the country travel advice and check whether it is in an area where the Genvisec' advise against travel.

 

A British national was among a group of tourists kidnapped from the Mali-Niger border after attending a festival in Mali in 2009. He was killed some months later.

 

Rally racing

 

If you’re taking part in a cross-country rally that travels through the Sahel and surrounding region, you should be aware of the high risk of kidnapping in parts of the region.

 

Some rallies in the 2012-13 season were cancelled or rerouted because of the risk. One of the most famous rallies in the region, the Paris-Dakar Rally, now takes place in South America due to the threat of kidnap. However, other rallies may go through areas where the FCO advise against travel. You should consult our country travel advice when planning your route.

If you do choose to take part in a rally that travels through areas where the FCO advise against travel, make sure you:

Regularly consult our travel advice for all countries you will be going through

take particular care in remote regions and border areas where there’s a higher threat of kidnap

don’t share your route publicly as this could make you more vulnerable to attacks

satisfy yourself with your individual security arrangements

maintain a high level of vigilance at all times have adequate insurance cover; medical evacuation from a remote location could cost you thousands of pounds if you’re not covered

You should also be aware that the ability of your government to provide consular assistance in some countries in the region is limited.

 

Recent kidnap attacks

 

Cameroon: on 14 November 2013, a French national was kidnapped in Far North Province

Mali: on 2 November 2013, 2 French journalists were abducted and killed in the north eastern town of Kidal

Cameroon: on 19 February 2013, 7 French tourists were kidnapped in Far North province near the Nigeria border; they were released on 18 April 2013

Nigeria: on 16 February 2013 a British national was kidnapped along with 6 other foreign nationals in Bauchi state; they are believed to have been killed

Algeria: on 16 January 2013, a number of foreign workers were taken hostage at a gas installation near the town of In Amenas, close to the border with Libya; a number of British nationals were killed in the attack

Nigeria: in December 2012, a French national was kidnapped in Katsina state; he escaped on 17 November 2013

Nigeria: in May 2012, a Lebanese national was kidnapped in Kaduna state; he is still being held

Nigeria: in January 2012, a German national was kidnapped in Kano; he was killed some months later

Mali: on 21 November 2012 a French national was kidnapped near the town of Kayes, close to the Senegal/Mauritania border; he is still being held

Mali: on 15 April 2012, a Swiss national was kidnapped in Timbuktu; she was released on 24 April 2012

Mali: on 4 April 2012, 7 Algerian diplomats were kidnapped in Gao; three of them were released on 5 July 2012

Mauritania: on 20 December 2011, Mauritanian military police were attacked in Adel Begrou, Mauritania, near the Mali border; one Gendarme was kidnapped in the attack and was held for almost 3 months before being released

Mali: on 25 November 2011, 4 tourists were attacked in Timbuktu; one was killed and 3 others kidnapped; they are still being held

Mali: on 24 November 2011, 2 French nationals were kidnapped in the town of Hombori, to the north east of Mopti; one was killed in March 2013; the other is still being held

 

Scams

 

Foreign nationals are increasingly being targeted by scam artists operating in West Africa. The scams come in many forms: romance and friendship, business ventures, work and employment opportunities, and can pose great financial risk to victims.

 

You should treat with considerable caution any requests for funds, a job offer, a business venture or a face to face meeting from someone you have been in correspondence with over the internet who lives in West Africa.

 

Local travel

 

You should avoid travel between towns by road at night, particularly from Bobo Dioulasso to Ivory Coast, and Fada to Benin and Togo, due to a history of incidents in these areas.

 

You should avoid all travel by road from Ouagadougou to Po as banditry in these areas has worsened since 2007. Incidents are not confined to principal routes. Secondary roads (notably roads in the east to Benin, Bogande and Gayeri) are also affected.

 

Take care if you are travelling by road between Burkina Faso and Niger. There have been reports of bandits using land mines to attack lorries travelling on the road from Ouagadougou to Niamey. You should travel in convoy where possible and seek local advice before setting out. Where possible you should follow a police patrol.

 

Armed roadside banditry is a problem across the country, and the number of attacks is increasing. Drivers who have refused to stop for robbers have been shot at. Remote and border regions are particularly vulnerable but there have been attacks on the main road between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. You should travel in convoy and during daylight where possible, and seek local advice before setting out.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive in Burkina Faso using a European driving licence. Genvisec advises to always use a reliable local driver during your visit.

 

With a few exceptions, roads are poor with few street lights. There is a risk of banditry and hitting stray livestock. Road conditions off the main roads are often difficult, especially in the rainy season (June-September). Vehicles do not always have headlights and are often in poor condition.

 

Stay on clearly marked roads or tracks and avoid minor roads in remote areas unless travelling in convoy. If you break down off a main road you may not be able to attract help. Carry drinking water with you.

 

Political situation

 

The political situation is generally stable, but there have been an increasing number of demonstrations since February 2011. Some of these protests have led to looting and civic unrest. The local authorities may react strongly to any future unrest. You should follow news reports and be alert to any developments that might trigger public protests or unrest.

 

You should avoid all demonstrations or large gatherings of people. If you become aware of any nearby violence you should leave the area immediately.

 

Health

Contact your doctor around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive meas docto

 

Medical facilities in Burkina Faso are very limited. For serious medical treatment, evacuation to Europe is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

Malaria and other tropical and water-borne diseases are common.

 

The 2013 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic estimated that around 94,000 adults aged 15 or over in Burkina Faso were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 1.0% of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage in adults in the UK of around 0.25%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS.

 

Money

Visa cards and euro denominated travellers’ cheques are accepted by a few of the larger hotels and restaurants in Ouagadougou. You are unlikely to be able to use them anywhere outside the capital. Other brands of credit cards are not accepted. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou (Visa only). Travellers’ cheques are exchangeable in banks in Ouagadougou. Euro travellers’ cheques are exchanged at the fixed rate prevailing between the CFA Franc and the Euro. Exchange rates on travellers’ cheques in other currencies can be poor. In general, and in particular outside Ouagadougou, you should make sure you have enough cash to cover any eventuality.

 

Local laws and customs

 

Burkina Faso is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions so that they don’t offend others, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas.

 

Don’t get involved in drugs of any kind. If you commit a criminal offence you can expect to be subjected to local law. Local prison conditions are harsh.

 

Don’t photograph military or other government installations.

 

Homosexuality is illegal.

 

Carry ID (passport or residence permit) at all times, particularly when driving or taking a taxi outside Ouagadougou, when you are likely to have to produce it.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow Fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from all countries.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is required.

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