Burkina Faso: Media mobilization, a strategic lever for national resilience

In a context marked by an asymmetric war and unprecedented security pressure, the Burkinabe government, under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, is initiating an unprecedented dynamic of collaboration with national media. During a meeting held on May 5, 2025, in Ouagadougou, the Minister of Communication, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, emphasized that information is far from secondary—it is a strategic weapon in the fight for national sovereignty.

Since coming to power, President Ibrahim Traoré has been firmly committed to restoring the dignity of the Burkinabe people in the face of the terrorist threat. His governance is characterized by a determination to rebuild the state on the foundations of sovereignty, social cohesion, and popular mobilization. In this light, the call made to the media reflects a logic of collective responsibility. Captain Traoré places the press at the heart of the nation’s resilience effort.

This is not about silencing critical voices, but about ensuring that information is fair, responsible, and beneficial to the nation. Cases of harmful practices—such as misinformation, alarmist narratives, and manipulation—undermine national unity and weaken the morale of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) as well as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). In contrast, a committed press can boost public confidence, highlight on-the-ground efforts, and counter hostile narratives.

While calling for a patriotic press, the state also pledges to improve working conditions for journalists. It advocates for a balanced regulatory framework that safeguards both press freedom and the supreme interest of the nation. This synergy between public authorities and the media forms a strong foundation for lasting victory over insecurity.