Suspected jihadist and criminal activity worsened in Sahel region bordering Mali and Niger. In deadliest attack yet against Burkinabè security forces, about 40 unidentified gunmen 16 Dec attacked military and gendarmerie position in Nassoumbou, killing twelve soldiers. Military 30 Dec killed suspect in Déou. Alleged bandits 3 Dec killed two people in Soboulé. Gendarmes same day killed one person trying to enter gendarmerie station in Koudougou, Centre-West region. President Kaboré 28 Dec replaced army chief of staff Pingrénoma Zagré with former inspector general of armed forces Col-Maj. Sadou Oumarou. Koglweogo civilian self-defence group general assembly 3 Dec rejected integration into community police.

Terrorist and criminal activity continued in Sahel region bordering Mali and Niger: two plainclothes police robbed on Djibo-Baraboulé road 2 Nov; Muslim preacher and municipal councillor shot dead 12 Nov in Djibo and Petega respectively, another councillor same day survived attempted killing in Soboulé. Tensions rose between Koglweogo civilian self-defence group and police 6 Nov in Ouagadougou when their vehicles collided. Koglweogo general assembly 12 Nov expressed scepticism at govt’s will to integrate them into planned community police. Traditional chiefs in west 21 Nov again refused to allow Koglweogo to operate in their region. Three members of former presidential guard accused of plotting against state extradited from Côte d’Ivoire 25 Nov.

Gendarmes clashed with four former members of defunct presidential guard around Nazinon bridge (centre south) 8 Oct, killing two. Fourteen former presidential guards subsequently arrested, suspected to be planning attack against military prison and presidential palace, one suspect at large; govt 21 Oct denounced plot as “attempted coup”. Unidentified gunmen attacked Kerboulé village (north) 18 Oct; Koglweogo civilian self-defence group intervened, clashes left four dead, assailants fled to Mali. Gunmen attacked military post in Intangom (north, near borders with Mali and Niger) 12 Oct killing four soldiers, military accidentally killed at least two civilians, attackers fled to Mali; Islamic State in the Greater Sahara reportedly claimed attack. Police chief 23 Oct said jihadist shot dead in Ouagadougou. Former ruling party Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) and other parties allied to regime of former President Compaoré 16 Oct formed new opposition Coalition for Democracy and National Reconciliation (CODER).

Attack on customs office in Markoye in far north 1 Sept killed civilian and customs officer, wounded three, claimed by Islamic State in the Sahara, previously unknown jihadist group. Govt 15 Sept said former PM Gen. Zida who left country Feb will be prosecuted for desertion. Former PM Tiao returned from exile in Côte d’Ivoire 9 Sept, authorities 16 Sept arrested and indicted him for injuries, murders and complicity in crackdown against Oct 2014 uprising. Convention of former ruling party Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) scheduled for 24 Sept postponed; party denounced political and judicial intimidation while many alleged leadership feuds. Koglweogo civilian self-defence group members 7 Sept crossed into Niger in pursuit of alleged bandits, clashed with locals, leaving two dead and ten wounded from both sides.

Koglweogo civilian self-defence group members 6 Aug demanded govt free members arrested following late June clashes with youths in Zongo near Ouagadougou. Koglweogo member arrested for murder in Koulpelogo province (centre-east) 23 Aug. Koglweogo 27 Aug handed over to security forces 130 weapons they had seized.

Police in Niger arrested seventeen members of Koglweogo civilian self-defence groups from Burkina Faso for illegally crossing border in search of two alleged bandits. Security Minister Simon Compaoré 11 July met Koglweogo delegation to address dispute with govt over group’s powers and said govt would create community police. Following 7 July meeting with opposition, President Kaboré 13 July amended composition and decision-making process of commission tasked with reforming constitution. Relations with Côte d’Ivoire improved: ambassadors from both countries filled vacant positions late July and govts held Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (TAC) summit 27-29 July in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

Govt 1 June created 92-member committee to draft new constitution comprising experts, politicians, civil society representatives, religious and customary chiefs and security forces. Military court 6 June said it would not re-issue arrest warrant against Côte d’Ivoire’s national assembly speaker Guillaume Soro for involvement in Sep 2015 coup and that govt has asked Côte d’Ivoire to prosecute him. Signalling it would take firmer stance against Koglweogo vigilante groups, govt 13 June reiterated that carrying weapons without authorisation, collecting unofficial fines and taxes and corporal punishment are crimes that will be sanctioned. Thousands of Koglweogo 22 June held general assembly, rejected laws; clashes 25 June between Koglweogo and opposed youths in Ouagadougou outskirts injured five. Election of mayors stoked inter- and intra-party tensions, clashes 18-28 June killed at least three across country. Govt 30 June said ten people suspected of involvement in Jan Ouagadougou and March Grand-Bassam terrorist attacks arrested; six still wanted.

Govt 6 May dismissed commissioner and judge investigating 1987 killing of former President Sankara and Sept 2015 coup, prompting accusations of govt interference. New commissioner, contradicting Supreme Court’s 28 April announcement, 17 May said arrest warrant against former President Compaoré not yet cancelled. President of former ruling party now opposition Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) Eddie Komboigo provisionally released 30 May, following late-Jan arrest for complicity in Sept 2015 coup. Alleged terrorists 17 May attacked police station in Koutougou, 45km from border with Mali, injuring two police officers. 22 May municipal elections saw large victory for ruling Movement of People for Progress (MPP); opposition Union for Progress and Change (UPC) and CDP came second and third. Elections took place amid localised violence; party militants clashed and ransacked two electoral commission offices.

Amid ongoing tensions between military old guard (some suspected of involvement in Sept 2015 coup) and young officers (who stopped coup leaders), gunshots reportedly heard 18 April at military prison holding those arrested in connection with coup; army said they were warning shots against bystanders. Military judge 27 April summoned for second time high-ranking officers including chief of staff General Pingrenoma Zagré allegedly involved in Sept 2015 coup but they ignored summons; military 29 April denied these officers had been summoned. Citing procedural reasons Supreme Court 28 April cancelled arrest warrants for those suspected of involvement in both Sept 2015 coup, including Côte d’Ivoire’s national assembly speaker Guillaume Soro, and 1987 killing of former President Thomas Sankara, including former President Compaoré.

Security incidents involving Koglweogo vigilante groups reported throughout month. Authorities 10 March arrested nine Koglweogo around eastern Fada N’Gourma, 16 March charged them with torturing alleged cattle thief: in response hundreds of Koglweogo blocked roads in and around Fada city and demanded govt release detainees; showdown ended with Koglweogo giving up demands. Govt upped regional counter-terrorism efforts, including with joint operation with Malian forces along border 22 Feb-6 March; G5 Sahel group (Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad) 4 March recommended each member create rapid intervention forces.