Burkina-Faso: Head of State Ibrahim Traoré begins army reform

Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power at the beginning of October because of the persistent insecurity in Burkina. He expressed his determination to put armed groups out of action in order to reconquer the entire national territory. Since then, he has continued to multiply his actions in this direction. The Head of State has been tackling the reform of the army for several days.

The Head of State Ibrahim Traoré is taking the bulls by the horns in order to curb the perpetual terrorist violence that is undermining Faso. He first launched an appeal for the recruitment of Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP). The appeal met with strong support from the population. According to recent figures, out of an estimated need of 50,000 VDPs, more than 90,000 (men and women) will be registered by 18 November 2022, the closing date of the operation.

Some a fortnight ago, the captain began a reform of the army, convinced that the scale of the scourge is also attributable to the defence forces. « The army has been infiltrated and everyone acts according to certain political [interests]. At one point, there was hope that it would stop, especially with the events of 24 January, and it hasn’t stopped, » said Ibrahim Traoré at a meeting with political and civil society leaders on 11 November.

The young officer did not mince words about his brothers in arms. He stated bluntly that the deterioration of the security situation has caused the loss of control of almost the entire territory. He also mentioned rivalries in the army. The officers based in Ouagadougou are responsible for sowing division, whereas in the fighting, the soldiers are united, he said.

Miss OLY