Public Management

Burkina Faso recruits civilian volunteers to fight terrorism

Burkina Faso recruits civilian volunteers to fight terrorism
Monday, 27 January 2020 12:36

The government of Burkina Faso will recruit civilian volunteers for counter-terrorism activities. The law approving the measure was adopted unanimously by the Parliament last week.

The new recruits, aged at least 18 and living in recruitment areas, will first be trained by regular army officials over 14 days before they receive small arms and communication and vision tools. Called “Homeland Defense Volunteers” (Volontaires de défense de la Patrie -VDP-), this strategy aims to offset army weaknesses in preventing and responding to attacks suffered by Burkina Faso in recent years.

The government stressed that the groups of volunteers will not become self-defense militias. The new law adopted defines a VDP as “a person of Burkinabe nationality, auxiliary to the defense and security forces, voluntarily serving the security interests of their village or area of residence, under a contract signed between the volunteer and the state.” VDPs will receive salaries similar to those of Burkinabe civil servants, and their recruitment will be subject to the approval of the local population after a general assembly meeting.

The law was passed in the aftermath of a terrorist attack that killed around 36 civilians in the Centre-North region. This situation comes against a backdrop of an upsurge in terrorist attacks in the country since 2015, targeting civilians and military personnel. 

While the new measure is welcomed by the ruling party, many observers are concerned about the possible excesses it could cause, for example by helping to fuel terrorist groups. In addition, some questions remain as to the status of these volunteers once the terrorist threat is addressed.

It should be recalled that the new law was announced in November 2019 by President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, after the attack on a mining convoy that left 39 people dead.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou

Additional Info

  • communiques: Non
  • couleur: N/A
On the same topic
• DPI acquires minority stake in Egypt’s largest private hospital group• Funds to support expansion across Egypt and key Gulf countries• Investment among...
WAEMU states collectively raised nearly 7,000 billion CFA francs in the first half of 2025, a record amount driven by increased financing needs, the...
• Inflation within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) fell to a two-year low of 0.6% in May, bolstered by a decline in food costs. •...
• Interbank volumes rose 18.7% in May, while rates declined across the market• The BCEAO cut its main policy rate to 3.25% following a sharp drop in...
Most Read
01

• Global coffee consumption projected to hit a record 169.4 million 60-kg bags in 2025/2026, up from...

Coffee: Global Consumption Expected to Reach Record Level in 2025/2026
02

• Algeria grants commercial 5G licenses to top three telecom operators: Mobilis, Djezzy, and Ooredoo...

Algeria Awards Commercial 5G Licenses
03

• Investors seem to keep focusing on yields, which are high for the moment• New Leadership might see...

Afreximbank Bonds Retain Market Confidence Despite Moody’s Downgrade
04

• Kenyan President William Ruto signs strategic partnership with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to b...

William Ruto in London: New Agreement Aims to Double Kenya-UK Trade by 2030
05

• IFC teams up with AfDB and Nigeria’s EbonyLife to assess a new fund for African cinema• Sector cou...

IFC Plans Investment Fund to Help Grow African Film Industry
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

Benjamin FLAUX
bf@agenceecofin.com 
Téls: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72
Média kit : Download

EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.