On 19 January 2019, the government of Burkina Faso dissolved due to the resignation of Prime Minister Paul Kaba Thieba and all members of his cabinet.

[2] Northern provinces of the country, particularly ones bordering Mali and Niger, have been in a state of emergency since 31 December, following a rise in jihadist attacks.

[4] In the week preceding these resignations, Burkina Faso's government extended the state of emergency for an additional six months in regions where terror attacks were reoccurring.

[9] Days before the government resigned, it was confirmed by officials that a Canadian geologist, Kirk Woodman, was abducted and killed at a mine exploration camp in the country's northern provinces near the border with Mali.

[11] Other Canadian nationals in Burkina Faso, including Edith Blais and her Italian partner Luca Tacchetto, have been known to be missing since December.

[14] The United States issued a similar warning the same day, advising against travel to Burkina Faso's northern and eastern provinces.

[15][16] In the interests of public safety, Burkina Faso's government imposed a curfew in Orodara from 19 to 23 January, citing severe threats of terrorism and kidnappings.