Burkina Faso: Prime Minister and Cabinet Resign

Burkina Faso Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba resigned from office with his entire cabinet.

No reason has been given for the move, which was announced in a televised statement by the country's president.

Mr. Thieba, a former economist, had held this position since January 2016, when he was appointed by President Roch Marc Christian Kabore.

His government is facing increasing pressure in the face of increasing numbers of kidnappings and jihadist attacks.

The recent large-scale disappearances of foreign nationals have led to direct appeals for the resignation of Mr. Thieba, as well as that of his defense and security ministers.

In his statement, President Kabore expressed gratitude for their services. He said that he hoped to form a new government soon.

• Burkina Faso: Country Profile
• Why the Sahara is the new front line of terror

Edith Blais, a 34-year-old Canadian, and Luca Tacchetto, 30, Italian, have been missing in the country since mid-December.

The two men went to Togo to work with an aid group after their disappearance.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland met the 34-year-old man's family Friday, one day after the announcement of the death of another missing Canadian.

Kirk Woodman, a geologist, was kidnapped Tuesday night by gunmen at a mining camp in the north of the country.

Until now, no one has claimed responsibility for his badbadination, but groups related to Al Qaeda are known to operate in the region.

Burkina Faso, a poor landlocked country in the Sahel region of Africa, has seen a resurgence of militant Islamist activity in recent years.

A cafe and the French Embbady in Ouagadougou, the capital of the country, were the subject of deadly attacks.

Several northern provinces of its border areas have been under emergency rule since December 31.