The transitional parliament of Burkina Faso has approved the extension of the state of emergency for six months in the country, which has been ravaged by terrorist attacks, according to media reports. A general mobilization, lasting one year, was previously introduced.
This extension, initiated by the government, comes after the end of the first state of emergency period, introduced on March 24 for 30 days.
This government has given exceptional powers to the authorities, who can impose restrictions on the freedom of movement, and requisition people, goods, and services.
General Mobilization
In an effort to control the outbreak of terrorist attacks, in mid-April, the Burkinabe president of the transition, Ibrahim Traore, established a general mobilization of 12 months.
Thus, "young people of 18 years of age or older, non-members of the national armed forces," are mobilizable, according to the decree. They will be recruited "according to the needs expressed by the competent authorities."
The areas where military operations are taking place are now controlled by the military command, which carries out the management alongside the civilian authorities on the spot.
The country, in particular its northern part, has been caught since 2015 in a spiral of violence attributed to terrorist groups. Since March, the Burkinabe Army has been conducting several large-scale military operations.