Summary
Ivory Coast increased its border security after many refugees arrived from Mali. These refugees were fleeing attacks by armed groups in southern Mali. The Ivorian government is taking steps to register the refugees and strengthen border security.
Key Facts
- Ivory Coast has reinforced its border security due to an influx of refugees from Mali.
- The National Security Council of Ivory Coast announced this was because of attacks by armed terrorist groups in southern Mali.
- The Executive Secretary of the National Security Council is tasked with registering the refugees.
- The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces was ordered to boost security at the northern borders.
- The group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), linked to al-Qaeda, is active in the region and started operating in Mali.
- JNIM has expanded its activities to other West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.
- Refugees are fleeing due to ongoing conflict and blockades that are affecting life in Mali’s capital, Bamako.
