The West African country has been chronically unstable since gaining independence from France 60 years ago, and is ranked the world's poorest country according to the UN's Human Development Index. Around 7.4 million people are registered to vote for the ballot for presidency, which coincides with legislative elections. Four thousand people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger died last year from jihadist violence and ethnic bloodshed stirred by Islamists, according to the UN. "Sporadic attacks will not prevent the staging of the elections," a spokesman said on Thursday. The attack in Toumour triggered a three-day period of national mourning, but the elections the following day went ahead smoothly, officials say.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 27, 2020 13:52 UTC