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4 Moroccan Truck Drivers Missing in Sahel Border Area
Incident Overview
Four Moroccan truck drivers went missing on Saturday while crossing the border area between Burkina Faso and Niger, regions heavily impacted by jihadist insurgencies. The trucks, which were carrying infrastructure equipment, disappeared in an area known for militant activity linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Missing Trucks and Drivers
Three trucks, one with a spare driver, were traveling from Dori in Burkina Faso to Tera in Niger when they lost contact. The vehicles were not escorted, despite the region’s instability. A source from the Moroccan embassy confirmed the missing drivers and stated that diplomatic efforts are underway to locate them.
Security Concerns in the Sahel
The border area between Burkina Faso and Niger is notorious for frequent attacks by militant groups. Both countries, governed by military juntas, are grappling with insurgencies that have destabilized the Sahel region in West Africa over the past decade. The Moroccan transport union has called for more security measures to protect trucks crossing these high-risk areas.
Previous Attacks and Rising Risks
Earlier this month, a convoy of Moroccan trucks was attacked near the Malian border with Mauritania, though no casualties were reported. The attack highlighted the growing danger for truckers traveling through the region. As the number of Moroccan trucks crossing the Sahel increases, the union stresses the need for enhanced protection.
Moroccan Diplomacy and Action
The Moroccan embassy in Burkina Faso is collaborating with local authorities to find the missing drivers. Security convoys are typically organized to escort trucks through the volatile regions, but these drivers chose to proceed without an escort after waiting for a week without one.
Call for Enhanced Protection
El Charki El Hamchi, Secretary General of Morocco’s transporters’ union, has urged both governments to strengthen security measures in areas with high militant activity to ensure the safety of truckers in the region.