Burkina Faso: Transfer to the head of the National Gendarmerie, Lieutenant-Colonel Kouagri Natama officially takes office
The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday 10 October 2023 at the National Gendarmerie Headquarters in Ouagadougou, in the presence of the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGA), Colonel Major Célestin Simporé. Lieutenant-Colonel Evrard Somda handed over to Lieutenant-Colonel Kouagri Natama, who was appointed on 04 October by decree of the President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
During the ceremony, the new Chief of Staff promised to work to preserve the morale of his men by ensuring the free flow of accurate information.
To this end, the Communication and Public Relations Directorate, together with the Information Technology Directorate, and in coordination with the Armed Forces Communication and Public Relations Directorate, will be working to put in place mechanisms to ensure the efficient flow of information from the top to the bottom and vice versa, with means of control.
Another challenge is the reconquest of the national territory. «We will strengthen our commitment to the fight with our brothers in arms, the VDP and the hard-working people throughout the country», said Lieutenant-Colonel Kouagri Natama. Pursuing the necessary internal reforms in line with national guidelines and priorities. But beyond reviewing the texts, the new head of the national gendarmerie wants the men to be at the heart of the actions.
«From this podium, I would like to reassure you, officers, non-commissioned officers and auxiliary gendarmes, that this is absolutely not the case», he declared. The senior officer invited the gendarmes to believe in the good faith of the highest authorities and their hierarchical superiors.
To win this bet, the Gendarmerie Chief of Staff called for a sacred union, in order to bequeath to future generations a stronger, more united and always professional institution that transcends time.
