Environmental contamination in Burkina Faso and land recovery in Chad

In Burkina Faso, authorities have confirmed the presence of sodium cyanide in the Nazinon River following an accident at the Sakoinsé bridge. Minister of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Ismaël Sombié, stated that emergency operations have recovered the remaining product from the river. While the government claims pollution has been stabilized, specialized laboratories are conducting daily water quality analyses to monitor the situation.

Local populations are strictly advised to avoid using or consuming river water and to refrain from eating fish or other animals found dead in the affected area until further notice. Authorities also emphasized the responsibility of chemical importers and distributors to adhere to environmental standards, noting that environmental police will increase inspections.

In Chad, the Interministerial Committee on State Reserves has launched an operation to secure government land in N'Djamena. The committee is reviewing several priority sites, including land near the US Embassy and the Hilton Hotel, to verify titles and recover illegally occupied plots. Occupants of the 80-meter strips and the green belt have been given until November 19, 2026, to vacate these areas. To date, 261 state reserves have been identified and registered.