urkina Faso has a reputation for being relatively
peaceful and stable in an insecure region. Violent
extremism has significantly impacted other
Sahelian and West African states, especially in light
of the conflict in Mali and the increase in terrorist
violence in northern Nigeria. Burkina Faso’s relative
stability has meant that it has attracted less attention
than its neighbors in international and regional security
debates. Nevertheless, maintaining relative peace
and security in Burkina Faso should be a priority for
all stakeholders; and stability there is relative, not
absolute. A crisis in Burkina Faso would be costly for
Burkinabes and the region. Understanding the sources
of relative peace and security in Burkina Faso can yield
insights for countering violent extremism in the region
and beyond.