Burkina Faso / Security: significant progress thanks to ambitious restructuring
During his address before the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO, Prime Minister and Head of Government, presented the state of the nation and outlined future prospects.
According to the Head of Government, Burkina Faso’s security system has undergone a profound transformation to enhance its efficiency and operational capacity.
Over the past two years, unprecedented progress has been made in reorganizing the armed forces, as well as in equipping and arming them.
Major challenges, such as the lack of material and human resources, insufficient territorial coverage, internal tensions, and shortcomings in intelligence services, have been met with concrete and effective responses.
New rapid intervention units have been established and operationalized, bringing the total number of Rapid Intervention Battalions to twenty-eight (28) and Mobile Intervention Unit Groups to thirteen (13).
The restructuring also extended to paramilitary forces, with the creation of combat units within the water and forestry services.
Boosting personnel numbers has been a priority, with the recruitment, training, and equipping of over 14,000 military personnel and thousands of Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP).
Simultaneously, the security coverage of the territory has been improved through the construction and rehabilitation of numerous security infrastructures.
The jurisdictions of the Police and Gendarmerie have been redefined to better meet the needs of the population.
Thanks to the commitment of the Burkinabe people, who contributed more than 175 billion FCFA in 2024 to the patriotic support fund (compared to 99 billion in 2023, a 76% increase), combat, surveillance, protection, and transport equipment has been acquired.
These efforts have strengthened the firepower of the defense forces and secured more than 71% of the territory.
These advancements have facilitated the reinstatement of public services, the reopening of fifteen (15) administrative districts, and the return of 212 villages to their localities. Other areas are being consolidated to enable further resettlements. These achievements reflect the determination of the government and the Burkinabe people to address security challenges and restore stability to the country.
Souley LAMINA
