It seems the response to these jihadi raids and IED attacks has...

It seems the response to these jihadi raids and IED attacks has been somewhat weak up till this point. The French are keen to help but don’t want to pay for, or run the clean-up operation all on their own so have attempted to get the international community involved with no great success. In the mean time I note they have used a weaponised drone against raiders fleeing a crime scene on motorbike so at least they’re putting up a fight.
As for the Burkina Government, it doesn’t seem committed to eradicating the threat with some suggesting the President (who is civilian background) has purposely weakened the military to reduce the chance of a military coup in the future. There was a recent peaceful street protest demanding the Government take meaningful action against the terrorists so there does seem to be a willingness amongst the general population to stop the jihadis.

My feeling is that if it gets worse then we’ll see a more determined response, like in Mali. No way in my mind that foreign investment and potential billions in royalties, jobs and taxes are foregone for some ragtag hit and run crew of extremists. The fledgling mining industry of Burkina Faso is going to make lots of people very rich, especially those in power but also should be transformational for the economy and the people of this extremely poor nation. When push comes to shove I just don’t see foreign investment compromised here but that’s just my opinion.

If there’s a real problem, Richard Hyde is doing a good job hiding it in all his presentations. We also have apparently been deluged with interest in the project according to Mr Hyde, evidenced by the 14 non-binding offers of Finance already received.

Getting the Finance on good terms will go a long way to easing any anxiety over this project.

Just my opinions.