• Burkina Faso approved a national border governance strategy covering land and air borders for 2026–2030.

• The plan aligns with Sahel regional security coordination under the Alliance of Sahel States.

• Authorities aim to improve security, reduce vulnerability, and support development in border areas.

Burkina Faso has approved a national border governance strategy for the 2026–2030 period, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Territorial Administration on Tuesday, April 21.

The government designed the strategic document to restore state control over border areas, strengthen population security, and promote more balanced development in these regions.

The new roadmap introduces several major changes. It now integrates air borders into the national framework and adopts an approach that combines security and development, with a specific focus on border communities.

At the same time, the document incorporates the regional geopolitical dimension linked to the Alliance of Sahel States. It plans to pool resources and strengthen coordination among defense and security forces to improve interoperability and surveillance, including in airspace.

Four Strategic Pillars

The implementation of the strategy rests on four core pillars. Authorities will strengthen control and security of territorial boundaries, promote socio-economic development in border areas, ensure sustainable management of natural resources and social cohesion, and reinforce governance and cooperation mechanisms.

According to Fidèle Gouem, Permanent Secretary of the National Borders Commission, “the main expected impacts of the implementation of this strategy lie in a significant improvement in security in border areas, as well as in reducing their vulnerability,” the statement said.

The initiative extends reforms launched since late 2024 to overhaul border management. It also comes amid a sharply deteriorating security environment marked by an increase in terrorist attacks.

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains severe. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that nearly 4.5 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2026 in Burkina Faso, highlighting the scale of the challenges facing the country.

This article was initially published in French by Ingrid Haffiny

Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum