Four Moroccan truck drivers are missing at the Burkina-Niger border amid jihadist threats. They disappeared while traveling unescorted in a region plagued by militant violence. The Moroccan embassy is working with local authorities to locate them, emphasizing the need for better security for truck convoys in this dangerous area.
On Saturday, four Moroccan truck drivers were reported missing while traversing the troubled border region between Burkina Faso and Niger. These drivers, along with three trucks—one which had a spare driver—were traveling unescorted from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger, a location notorious for jihadist activity, according to a Moroccan diplomatic source. The situation in the Sahel has become increasingly volatile due to the activities of Islamist militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, causing widespread destabilization in West African nations over the last ten years.
The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local transport unions are taking measures to locate the missing individuals. Burkina Faso, currently governed by a military junta, along with Niger, is actively combatting the threat posed by Islamist militancy. The Moroccan embassy is collaborating with Burkinabe authorities to expedite the search for these missing drivers, amidst increasing risks associated with cross-border transport in the region. Historically, security convoys have been organized to safeguard truck routes against possible militant attacks.
The disappearance of the Moroccan truck drivers highlights the critical security issues in the Sahel region, particularly for foreign transport operations. Authorities are urged to implement stronger protective measures to ensure the safety of drivers increasingly operating in this high-risk area. The Moroccan transport union is advocating for enhanced security as the number of trucks crossing into the Sahel continues to rise, following previous incidents of violence involving Moroccan transporters.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
