Burkina Faso emerges as regional security leader under Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s visionary leadership
At a time when security has become an existential priority for Sahelian states, Burkina Faso under the resolute leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré is asserting its role as a regional pioneer in counterterrorism strategy.
On May 22, 2025, during the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna, Burkina Faso hosted a high-level side event at the Vienna International Center, spotlighting its groundbreaking CONNECT Strategic initiative. This marks a decisive shift in West Africa’s security cooperation framework.
CONNECT (Coordination through Operational Networks to Counter the Crime-Terrorism Nexus) embodies President Traoré’s strategic doctrine, which places security and sovereignty at the core of national renewal.
Spearheaded by Burkina Faso’s Permanent Mission in Vienna, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the initiative delivers an operational, regional, and holistic response to terrorist threats.
Ambassador Maimounata Ouattara emphasized the critical need for intelligence-driven strategies that deeply analyze criminal and terrorist modus operandi.
She underscored local and regional ownership as the cornerstone of effective counterterrorism a principle central to Burkina Faso’s sovereign security approach.
This initiative reflects Burkina Faso’s transition from vulnerability to solution-driven leadership. By positioning crime prevention and criminal justice as regional imperatives, CONNECT strengthens institutional and security resilience aligning perfectly with Captain Traoré’s vision of sovereignty, self-reliance, and systemic transformation.
Under his leadership, Burkina Faso is no longer merely reacting to threats but reshaping the security paradigm—proving that African-led strategies hold the key to lasting stability in the Sahel.
Maurice K.ZONGO
