Burkina Faso security ministry urges citizens to report on each other

DAKAR (Reuters) - Burkina Faso's junta has urged its citizens to report suspicious neighbours and activity in the name of national security as the Sahel nation battles a near decade-long jihadist insurgency.

"The Minister of Security ... reiterates his call for increased vigilance from the valiant populations of Burkina Faso and urges them to report any suspicious individual, movement or object," the security ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

It warned citizens against parking for long periods of time near "sensitive sites", taking photographs of sensitive "installations" and providing information such as security forces positions, sites or strategic routes that could facilitate a terrorist attack.

It also urged citizens not to rent out cars or houses without collecting adequate information about the lessees.

Burkina's military leaders, who seized power in a 2022 coup, have faced criticism by rights groups over measures they have taken in the name of national security.

Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have accused the junta of kidnapping and conscripting some of its critics, citing victims and civil society groups.

Burkina and neighbouring Mali and Niger are fighting a jihadist insurgency that has spread across the Sahel region since it first took root in Mali 12 years ago.

Rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Malian and Burkinabe troops of serious abuses committed against civilians suspected of collaborating with the jihadists. Both armies have denied wrongdoing.

(Reporting by Portia Crowe; Editing by David Gregorio)