BURKINA FASO: An operation to recruit Liberian mercenaries is reportedly underway

In West Africa today, any information concerning terrorism must be taken seriously and treated with rigour. According to an unofficial source, a number of Liberian mercenaries are currently being recruited between the Liberian border and Côte d’Ivoire.

The main mission of the Liberian mercenaries would be to attack Burkina Faso through Côte d’Ivoire. At a time when rumours are becoming increasingly clamorous, the authorities in both countries are being urged to carry out thorough investigations into the matter.

Given that the insecurity caused by terrorism is no longer a matter for one country alone, it is desirable to see a synergy of action on the part of all ECOWAS member countries, formed as a bloc to fight effectively against Jihadism. There is no longer any question of relying on Western technology, intelligence and aerial protection by drones or fighter planes.

Between the deployment of external forces, multilateral initiatives and support for national armies, the fight against terrorism in Africa presents an inextricable confusion of actors and issues in constant recomposition. It is therefore important to take a more incisive look at the forces at work in the anti-jihadist crusade in Africa. Not all those who come to Africa’s aid in the fight against terrorism are actually there for that reason.

Hence the need for a regional melting pot of the armies of all the countries in the ECOWAS zone, with well-defined guidelines for putting an end to this evil.

LABORIE