The mystery remains surrounding the fate of four Moroccan drivers missing between Burkina Faso and Niger since last Saturday. According to information obtained by Hespress from well-informed sources, a crisis unit reporting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad is currently working, in close collaboration with the embassies of the Kingdom of Morocco in Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as only with the authorities of the two countries, to find the missing people.
These same sources specified that the drivers were reported missing on the road linking Dori, in Burkina Faso, to Téra, in Niger. This road crosses the Sittenga region, where a recent deadly ambush (between Dori and Sittenga) left 18 soldiers and several civilians dead.
The sources of Hespress added that “ This event is very recent and anyone in the area should be informed. Essential precautions, such as securing a security escort, should have been taken to avoid the risk of ambushes, kidnappings or attacks ».
Furthermore, professional sources in the international freight transport sector have reported that recent information transmitted by Burkinabé drivers to their Moroccan colleagues indicates that “ the three missing trucks are believed to be in the Nigerien capital, Niamey ».
These same sources, however, expressed doubts about this information, declaring Hespress that “ it is necessary for Moroccans present on site to verify the veracity of this news ».
In addition, no jihadist group active in the Sahel region has, to date, claimed responsibility for the disappearance of the four Moroccan drivers.
-Faced with the rise in terrorist threats in the region, particularly from the organization “ Islamic State in the Great Sahara » (EIGS), active between Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, the same sources indicated that “ truck convoys are regularly organized under the protection of the Burkinabe army to secure cross-border travel, particularly on the Dori-Téra axis ».
The border region in the northeast of Burkina Faso is currently facing a significant jihadist threat, aggravating the instability and insecurity already characterized by recurrent violence. The countries concerned are stepping up their efforts to secure these areas, reduce the terrorist threat and provide significant humanitarian aid to victims and displaced people.
The reckless passage of Moroccan drivers in this region, according to the same sources, shortly after the ambush that occurred on January 11, “ reflects the dangerousness of this area ».
Finally, the newspaper’s sources reminded transport professionals of the importance of respecting ” strictly follow the security protocols in force “. They emphasized that “ Unauthorized travel to sensitive areas is unacceptable due to potential risks » and insisted on the fact that “ observance of security measures is imperative to guarantee the safety of convoys ».
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