On Saturday, January 18, the Moroccan Embassy in Burkina Faso reported the disappearance of four Moroccan truck drivers traveling between the town of «Dore» in northeastern Burkina Faso and «Téra» in western Niger. The embassy noted that international transport drivers typically consult with local authorities regarding the security situation before embarking on their journeys. This precaution is especially critical on routes like the one through Setenga, which suffered a deadly attack on January 11, 2025. Heightened terrorist threats from the «Islamic State in the Great Sahara» group—active in the regions of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—have necessitated the formation of truck convoys under military escort by the Burkinabe army to ensure safety. While the search for the missing drivers continues, the embassy is calling on international transport truck owners to adhere to established security protocols. The current volatile security environment demands that travel be conducted in protected convoys. The area has been plagued by numerous terrorist incidents, including attacks in June 2024 that displaced thousands in northeastern Burkina Faso. Similar assaults have targeted goods convoys in western Niger, such as the December 2024 attack that claimed 21 civilian lives. The crisis unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Resident Abroad, along with the Moroccan embassies in Burkina Faso and Niger, are collaborating closely with local authorities in both countries to locate the missing truckers.
