Security Advisory: Baraboule, Burkina Faso (15 Jan 2016)

 Executive Summary

• Australian couple kidnapped in Burkina Faso overnight Friday to Saturday.
• Islamist group confirms kidnapping.

Incident Overview

The Burkinabe government has confirmed that two Australians have been kidnapped in Burkina Faso, specifically in Baraboule, near the West African country’s borders with Niger and Mali. Burkina Faso’s Communications Minister Remi Dandjinou disclosed Saturday that the couple were Australian nationals, correcting an earlier statement released by the interior ministry which had identified them as Austrian.

A spokesman for Malian militant group Ansar Dine, Hamadou Ag Khallini has stated that the couple were being held by jihadists from al-Qaeda-linked “Emirate of the Sahara,” adding that they are alive and that more details would be released soon.

News of the kidnapping comes just hours after Islamist militants stormed the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou, leaving at least 26 people dead, including many foreigners.

Embassy Contact Details

Embassy of Canada

316 Professor Joseph KIZERBO ave.

01 P.O. box 548

Ouagadougou 01

Telephone: (226)25.49.08.00

Email: Ouaga@international.gc.ca

Hours of operation: Monday to Thursday (8:30 AM to 12PM; 2PM to 4PM); Friday (8:30 AM – 12 PM)

***Please note that Australians are covered by the Canadian embassy in Ouagadougou***

French Embassy

Avenue du Tresor, BP 504, Ouagadougou

Telephone: (226) 25.49.66.66

Security Advisory

• With ongoing operations in central Ouagadougou, MS Risk advises all travellers to avoid the central area of the capital and to shelter in place unless instructed otherwise by security forces or authorities.
• We also advise all travellers to the country to avoid the border areas with Mali, this is due to a high threat of kidnap. We advise those in remote areas of the country to be aware of ground moves and to always travel in convoy.
• We advise that companies operating across Burkina Faso ensure that heightened levels of security are in place, including accounting for personnel, maintaining regular comms checks, reviewing security and considering crisis plans.
• A curfew has been put in place from 2300 to 0600 UTC in Ouagadougou.
• While the airport in Ouagadougou and borders are currently open, MS Risk advises all travellers that the Burkinabe authorities may change this with minimal notice.

In the wake of the terror attack in Ouagadougou, MS Risk has the following in place:

• Our local agents are taking stock of the scene and we will be able to provide local nationals as private security personnel through our partners for the benefit of clients.  This includes provision of fully licensed armed personnel.

• We have liaison in place with the state security forces and will share relevant information as we are made aware.

• Our analyst team is reviewing the attack and tracking related events and will be issuing further bulletins.

• We have expatriate consultants on standby to deploy to Burkina Faso to conduct urgent security reviews, update crisis response contingencies, supervise security enhancements, coordinate repatriation of non-essential personnel for any companies and other tasks as may be necessary.

• Our aviation partners can lay on private air charters if there is a demand.  We will continue to monitor commercial flight schedules.

• Contact us for more information or support:

• By email: info@msrisk.com
• Our 24/7 hotline: +44 207 754 3555 and request assistance.  Have your    contact details to hand so we can ensure appropriate follow up.