Notes from the field

Articles on Burkina Faso, the Sahel, violent extremism, and humanitarian action. Elevating the perspectives of those affected; advocating for just intervention.

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Episodes

“The war is still being fought” in Burkina Faso’s East; its impact on the population deepening

As the conflict drags on in Burkina Faso's East, its impact on the region's population is growing - I recently spoke with a former municipal councilman from Soam (Matiacoali), living in Fada N'Gourma since 2019. He shares his perspectives on leaving his home, how he has found accessing available aid, and his outlook on the conflict's evolution. Overall, according to him "the war is still being fought" in Matiacoali; he doesn't foresee returning soon. Read his story: bit.ly/3gwINgK...

Apr 22, 2021•9 min

“Alone in the face of sad fates” — perspectives from the East of Burkina Faso

"Armed with Kalashnikovs, the men demanded his name, from where he was coming, and what he was doing there. They asked him where he and his family lived. After the questioning and after visiting his family’s home, they released him. The next day, he learned that these armed men had killed one of his colleagues the night before." Over 65k people have fled their homes because of violent extremism in Burkina Faso's East region, nearly 1 million nationally. I recently spoke with a man from Namoungou...

Aug 11, 2020•6 min

Stopping the spread of violent extremism in the Sahel through basic services

We are at a critical moment in preventing the spread of violent extremism in Burkina Faso and in West Africa. As military solutions and peace-building programming become increasingly the focus of Western involvement in the region, we cannot and must not forget the importance that basic service provision and critical infrastructure play in counteracting the drivers of radicalization.

Jun 17, 2019•6 min

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