ZURICH, Aug 28 – A Swiss citizen working on a U.S.-funded aid project in Burkina Faso has been detained by local authorities, according to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and a foreign official.
The reason for the arrest remains unclear, and efforts to reach Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta for comment have been unsuccessful.
The Swiss citizen was employed as the chief of party for Winrock International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on water security and resilience in the region. The arrest occurred while the individual was working on a project in both Niger and Burkina Faso.
Winrock International did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Burkina Faso, located in the Sahel region, has been grappling with a significant jihadist insurgency that has escalated in recent years. This ongoing conflict has contributed to political instability, with the country experiencing two military coups since 2020.
The ruling junta, which seized power in 2022, has faced criticism for its suppression of dissent and human rights abuses.
