Burkina Faso: the system of reorganization of the armed forces undermines jihadist groups

Very soon, the Burkinabe transitional authorities will launch the offensive against jihadist groups. An excerpt of a video circulating in Faso, on the American social network WhatsApp, reports threats of reprisals by some responsible for the latest terrorist attacks, against the defense and security forces, and civilians in the Sahel region.

President Ibrahim Traoré is wonderfully aware of the plans being drawn up for the destabilization of jihadist groups in Faso. Being aware of this force that now exists in the Burkinabe army, Jafar Dicko who presides over the destiny of Ansarul Islam, founded in 2016 by his elder brother late Malam Ibrahim Dicko, who died in May 2017, tries to threaten the transitional government on a future terrorist attack.Moreover, as part of the recruitment of VDPs, the Burkinabe authorities received applications from 90,000 people aged 18 to 79 instead of the 50,000 VDPs fixed. This proves how much the population is behind the government, to bring peace and national security to Faso. Among these VDPs are disbarred police officers, retired soldiers, members of vigilante groups and Dozo hunters among the contenders. Ministers and trade unionists also responded to the « call of the fatherland ».

However, not everyone will be recruited. Foreigners, trade unionists and politicians must regularize their situation if they want to serve as VDPs.

Successful candidates will receive two to four weeks of military training, according to the June 2022 decree on the status of the VDP. They will sign a two-year renewable commitment with the State before being placed at the disposal of BVDP and they should receive a bonus of CHF 60,000 per month. This, to motivate these soldiers of a new kind with whom, henceforth,the army will act in the theater of operations, says Captain Traoré during his meeting with the VDP, whose institutionalization dates back to 2019 under the magisterium of Roch March Christian Kaboré.

From now on, the Burkinabe people have accepted the concept of generalized people’s war. Thus, the government’s peace process is more than supported, by all the sons and daughters of Burkina Faso, without exception.

Miss OLY