By The United States has issued a dire warning to its citizens. It urges them to avoid all travel to Burkina Faso. The West African nation grapples with escalating threats of terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. On April 16, 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou released an emergency alert.
The alert elevated Burkina Faso to a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory. This is the highest warning level issued by the U.S. Department of State. This move underscores the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region. Burkina Faso has become a hotspot for violent extremist groups.
A Growing Crisis in the Sahel
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has been caught in a spiraling security crisis for nearly a decade. The Sahel region—a vast semi-arid belt stretching across Africa—has seen a surge in terrorist activity since the early 2010s. This surge is fueled by porous borders and weak central governance. It is also driven by the influx of arms following the 2011 collapse of Libya’s Gaddafi regime.
Groups like the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and other militant factions have exploited these vulnerabilities. They launch attacks with little warning. They also employ tactics such as kidnapping for ransom.The U.S. State Department’s advisory highlights the pervasive nature of these threats. It notes that terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in Burkina Faso. This includes the capital, Ouagadougou.
The advisory warns, “Terrorists may utilize various tactics. This includes the use of common, commercially available items.” It emphasizes the unpredictability of the violence. Kidnapping, in particular, remains a persistent risk. This is especially true in the Sahel and East regions of the country. A state of emergency has been in effect there for several years.
The situation has worsened since 2022. That year, Burkina Faso experienced two military coups. These occurred amid growing frustration over the government’s inability to curb terrorist attacks. That same year, a devastating attack on a military convoy in northern Burkina Faso claimed the lives of 27 soldiers. This event served as a grim reminder of the toll this conflict has taken on the nation’s armed forces.
The Council on Foreign Relations has issued a warning. They stated that the growing strength of violent extremist organizations in the Sahel threatens to destabilize Burkina Faso. It also threatens the broader African continent. This situation poses significant security and financial risks to the United States and Europe.
U.S. Involvement in the Region
The U.S. has been actively engaged in counterterrorism efforts in West Africa for over a decade. This involvement is primarily through Operation Juniper Shield. This military initiative was launched in 2013 under U.S. Africa Command. Previously known as Operation Enduring Freedom – Trans Sahara, this program spans 11 countries. Some of these countries include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Cameroon. The operation focuses on training and equipping local forces to combat terrorism, providing intelligence support, and conducting reconnaissance missions.
Despite these efforts, the region remains a dangerous theater for U.S. personnel. In 2017, a deadly ambush in Tongo Tongo, Niger, by Islamic State militants left four American and four Nigerien soldiers dead, sparking widespread debate about the extent of U.S. military involvement in Africa. At the time, more than 800 U.S. personnel were stationed in Niger alone, a presence that had gone largely unreported until the attack.
In Burkina Faso, the U.S. has maintained a smaller footprint, with around 300 personnel supporting local forces alongside counterparts in Cameroon, according to earlier reports.
However, the U.S. has signaled a shift in priorities in recent years. In 2018, the Trump administration announced plans to reduce its military presence in West Africa by about 10%, redirecting resources to address emerging threats from Russia and China. This drawdown has raised concerns about a potential security vacuum, particularly as international counterterrorism support in the region continues to wane.
Challenges for Travelers and U.S. Citizens
The Level 4 advisory reflects not only the heightened risks in Burkina Faso but also the U.S. government’s limited capacity to assist its citizens in the country. Due to the widespread insecurity, the U.S. Embassy has stated that it is unable to provide emergency services to Americans in most parts of Burkina Faso. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling outside Ouagadougou, and even within the capital, nighttime travel to certain neighborhoods is discouraged due to a historically high crime rate.
For travelers with dual nationality, the situation is further complicated. Local authorities in Burkina Faso may not recognize U.S. citizenship if an individual also holds Burkina Faso nationality, potentially limiting consular assistance. The State Department has urged Americans to review the Country Security Report for Burkina Faso, prepare contingency plans, and consult the CDC’s latest travel health information before considering any travel to the region.
A Bleak Outlook
The U.S. travel advisory for Burkina Faso serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Sahel, where terrorism and instability continue to exact a heavy toll on local populations and international partners alike. For Burkina Faso’s military, the fight against extremist groups remains an uphill battle, despite years of training and support from the U.S. and other allies.
The nation’s Transition Authorities have been in power since the 2022 coups. They have struggled to restore stability. Many citizens are caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.As the security situation deteriorates, the international community faces difficult questions.
They must address the root causes of extremism in the Sahel, such as poverty, political instability, and lack of opportunity. At the same time, it is crucial to contain the immediate threat of terrorism. For now, the U.S. government’s message to its citizens is clear: Burkina Faso is too dangerous to visit. Whether this warning will prompt broader action to address the crisis remains to be seen.
