Burkina Faso: The President of the MPSR carries the Army high, for more efficiency in the fight against terrorism

The Head of State of the Burkinabe transition, President of the MPSR Movement, has just taken important decisions to make military operations more dynamic and fight terrorism effectively. At this week’s Council of Ministers, the Supreme Chief of the Burkinabe army adopted two decrees establishing an air base within the Forces of the National Armed Forces (FAN) and two other decrees of appointment.Indeed, these two air bases created by President Ibrahim Traoré, by decree for the cities of Kaya, in the Centre-North of the country and Fada, Eastern region, will make military operations more active and effective. Through this initiative, it is clear that President Ibrahim Traoré’s priority objectives, which are none other than to dislodge terrorists from Faso and bring peace and national integrity, have been achieved.

The decree therefore states that these new air bases will be responsible for the « operational preparation of personnel and equipment able to participate in the execution of the missions assigned to the Air Force ». However, the Burkinabe Army plans to increase its dynamism and combativeness, in order to face terrorist assaults in these two target areas of Faso. In addition, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has initiated two decrees as part of the reorganization of the Army.

Previously, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGA), Colonel-Major Célestin Simporé, was appointed Commander of Operations of the National Theater (COTN), by the first decree in place of Lieutenant-Colonel Yves Didier Bamouni. The second decree appoints Colonel Céleste Coulibaly as commander of the Integrated Operations Centre. It should be remembered that Colonel Celeste Coulibaly was the last aide-de-camp of the former president, Blaise Compaoré́.

In short, the President of the Transition, Mr. Traoré, President of the Patriotic Movement for the Safeguarding and Restoration (MPSR), has innovated. It has created six Rapid Intervention Battalions (BIR) that will be based in the capital to intervene throughout the country at any time there is an urgent need. This decision is to be welcomed. Because it will be more effective in military interventions. The COTN created by Lieutenant-Colonel Sandaogo Damiba, is now placed under the administrative authority of the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGA), Colonel-Major David Kaboré.