Burkina Faso: As the army grows in strength, security becomes an integral part of daily life
The fight against terrorism is no longer limited to sporadic operations or bursts of patriotic pride. It is now part of a deep, structured, and resolute dynamic: the continuous strengthening of the operational capabilities of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP).
This scaling-up, far from being a mere media announcement, reflects a clear determination to make the National Army the unshakeable pillar of a territorial and human reconquest.
The army of Burkina Faso, tested by years of asymmetric attacks, has learned its lessons. Today, it is equipping itself with the logistical, intelligence, and strike capabilities necessary for its mission.
This is no longer an army of improvisation, but one that plans, anticipates, and strikes with precision.
New equipment surveillance drones, armored vehicles, and secure communication systems is changing the situation on the ground. The mobility and responsiveness of combat units have increased, reducing the mobility advantage that terrorist armed groups had previously exploited.
But this upgrade would not be complete without a parallel evolution in the role of the Internal Security Forces (FSI).
Gendarmerie, national police, firefighters: these branches see their mission consolidated not on the margins of the military effort, but in close complementarity with it.
The approach is now comprehensive: it is no longer just about tracking terrorists in rural areas, but also about securing the daily lives of citizens in towns, markets, schools, and along roadways. This duality of military strikes and civil protection is a sign of strategic maturity.
The VDP, for their part, embody this symbiosis between the Army and the populations. Recruited locally, they know the terrain, the languages, and the sensitivities of the communities.
Their training is intensifying, their supervision is becoming more professional, and their coordination with the FDS is being refined. They are no longer mere auxiliaries, but recognized, proud, and useful assistants.
Their courage, often paid for in blood, deserves the full recognition of the Nation. Of course, challenges remain. Logistics remains a headache in a Sahelian country with impassable tracks.
Human intelligence still needs to become more reliable. And the psychological warfare waged by the enemy requires a media and educational response up to the task.
But the course is set: The National Army will continue to scale up relentlessly until every village finds its peace, every child its school, and every farmer its field.
What is at stake today in Burkina Faso is the affirmation of an asserted defensive sovereignty. It is proof that a country poor in resources but rich in determination can meet the security challenge when it bets on training, equipment, and confidence in its own forces.
The commitment of the FDS, the FSI, and the VDP is total. Their growing professionalism is the best bulwark against chaos.
And this dynamic, carried by an entire people, sends a strong signal to the enemies of peace: here, we do not retreat; we grow stronger.
Maurice K.ZONGO
