Nearly every day, Burkina Faso faces jihadist operations, particularly in the north of the country. Attacks whose reach is expanding rapidly. Initially, these operations targeted mainly defense and security forces, as well as symbols of the state. But today civilians are no longer spared. Since the beginning of the year, more than 300,000 Burkinabè have had to leave their homes and head south to escape the violence. Report from the locality of Yagma, a few kilometers north of Ouagadougou.

Belem Boureima wears his 74 years proudly. Several weeks ago, this herder decided it was time. Gathering the little money they had and what they could carry, about forty members of this family left their village, located 70km from Djibo, the major city in the north, and too frequently visited by "assailants".

"They came armed on motorcycles. They roamed the locality. Everyone was afraid. We had to leave because we didn't know what to expect. At the beginning, the attacks didn't concern us. But then it started to affect the civilian population. Everyone was targeted. That's why we had to leave with women and children to find shelter."

After a journey of two days, Belem Boureima's clan ended up in Yagma half an hour from Ouaga. Here they no longer have a plot to cultivate, no animals to raise. On this granite soil, women collect gravel to resell for 1,000 francs a pile, and thus pay for the children's food.

"It's disheartening to find ourselves in this situation, but we had no choice. It's better to be alive waiting for help than to stay in Djibo and die.
Here we have nothing left. We are destitute. All we hope for is some help from the authorities and from anyone of good will."

Belem Boureima and his family were welcomed at his property by Zongo Na Bozwendé, a modest retiree appointed as guardian. They are hoping for assistance from the state or an NGO that so far has not yet come.