Moroccan Truck Drivers Missing in Burkina Faso Found in Niger

Four Moroccan truck drivers who had been missing since Saturday, January 18, on a route between northeastern Burkina Faso and western Niger were found on Monday, January 20, and are currently en route to the Moroccan embassy in Niger.

Efforts by Moroccan diplomacy, in collaboration with transport sector professionals, successfully located the four drivers, who were accompanied by two others of Burkinabé and Togolese nationality. According to information from Hespress, the drivers are reported to be in good health, although there has been no news regarding their trucks. Negotiations are currently underway between the representative of the African Union of Transport and Logistics Organizations (UAOTL) and terrorist groups for the release of the vehicles.

Mustapha Chaoune, president of UAOTL, confirmed that the Moroccan drivers have been found, but their trucks remain missing. He emphasized that this discovery is a result of Moroccan diplomatic efforts in these countries, noting that coordination between Moroccan embassies and UAOTL played a crucial role in locating the missing individuals.

Chaoune also pointed out that, in light of such recurring incidents, transport companies must properly train their employees to prevent similar situations and take responsibility for risks in these regions. He specified that the drivers had departed from Casablanca heading to Niger, transporting electric poles. However, they reportedly ignored safety instructions near the border before disappearing.

The Moroccan diplomatic mission established a crisis cell within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad. This cell worked closely with Moroccan embassies in Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as with the authorities of both countries, to locate the missing individuals.

About محمد الفاسي