Over 2.5 million people in Burkina Faso have been displaced by years of extreme violence, with many fleeing to the capital city, Ouagadougou, in search of safety. However, instead of finding respite, they face neglect, discrimination, and a lack of support from authorities and international organizations.
The crisis has escalated as Burkina Faso’s military junta, which seized power two years ago, pledging to restore stability, downplays the severity of displacement. Official figures suggest only 30,000 displaced people in the capital, but aid groups estimate the actual number to be far higher. With no formal camps in Ouagadougou, many sleep on the streets or rely on informal shelters.
A significant portion of the displaced population belongs to the Fulani ethnic group, often accused of ties to Islamist insurgents. This has led to widespread discrimination, difficulty finding jobs, and challenges enrolling children in schools.
A Fulani cattle trader from the besieged city of Djibo recounted being arrested and beaten by government forces on suspicion of extremism. “They treated us all as if we were terrorists,” he said. Fleeing to the capital after his father’s murder, he now struggles to survive on odd jobs, lamenting the loss of his dignity.
A 28-year-old Fulani widow from the northwest described how extremists killed her husband and forced her to flee with her children. Now in Ouagadougou, she is living in a women’s shelter and learning to sew, but her future remains uncertain as resources dwindle.
Despite escalating violence and extremist control of 80% of Burkina Faso’s territory, Ouagadougou appears to carry on as normal. Restaurants and festivals continue, and the government has reinstated public events like the Tour de Faso cycling race. However, this veneer of normalcy conceals a growing humanitarian crisis.
Aid organizations are unable to operate freely due to government restrictions, and local authorities are wary of those assisting displaced individuals. A local activist running a women’s shelter said the demand is overwhelming, and resources are running out. “I don’t know for how much longer I can keep on going,” she admitted.
The junta has also cracked down on dissent, enforcing censorship and detaining those who speak out. Once celebrated for its vibrant intellectual community, Burkina Faso is now shrouded in fear and mistrust. “We fought for freedom of speech, and now we lost everything,” said a women’s rights activist.
The displaced population, marginalized and unsupported, represents a stark contradiction to the junta’s claims of improving security. Without immediate action, aid workers warn the situation is “a ticking bomb,” threatening to plunge the nation into deeper instability.
As violence continues to surge and displaced individuals flood into the capital, Burkina Faso’s leadership faces growing pressure to address the needs of its most vulnerable citizens and confront the grim reality of its ongoing crisis.