Burkina Faso stops issuing licences for purchase of firearms
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Burkinabe Ministry of Security on Thursday suspended the issuance of licences for the purchase of firearms by unauthorized persons, citing the deteriorating security situation marked by terrorist attacks in the country.
This measure was taken in light of the current security context and to facilitate the taking of appropriate measures to combat the illegal circulation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in Burkina Faso," wrote the Minister of Security, Ousseni Compaore, in a statement.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has faced a resurgence of terrorist attacks.
Once concentrated in the Sahel and the north of the country, these attacks attributed to jihadist groups by the authorities, spread to several other regions of the country.
In addition to terrorist attacks, the country is increasingly recording inter-communal conflicts.
More than 300 people, including members of the defense and security forces, were killed and several others wounded in the terrorist attacks, forcing thousands to move, while at least 150,000 children end up on the streets as their schools have been closed.
Fourteen of the 45 provinces in Burkina Faso are under a state of emergency, PANA recalls.
-0- PANA TNDD/JSG/KND/VAO 28Feb2019
