Burkina Faso President Urges Defense Forces to Prepare for 'High-Intensity War'

President of the Transition of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, met with the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) of the Cascades region to address the ongoing security challenges facing the country. During the meeting, Traoré congratulated the FDS for their achievements in combating terrorism and encouraged them to ready themselves for a "high-intensity war" against the enemies and their accomplices.

Traoré stressed that the war Burkina Faso is waging extends beyond just terrorism, characterizing it as a "war of decolonization." He expressed confidence that "this terrorism will be defeated" and reassured that arrangements are being made to strengthen the logistical, human, and technical operational capacities of the Combatant Forces.

The President also praised the strong bond between the Army and the Nation, inviting the FDS to further reinforce this collaboration and their partnership with the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP).

Why this matters: The security situation in Burkina Faso and the broader Sahel region has deteriorated in recent years due to the rise of jihadist terrorist movements. Addressing these challenges is vital for the stability and development of the country and the region as a whole.

Burkina Faso, along with neighboring countries Niger and Mali, established a joint force in 2024 to counter the phenomenon of terrorist jihadism in the Sahel. The region has become the area most impacted by terrorism globally, with key terrorist groups such as AQMI, al-Murabitun, Ansar Dine, IS Sahel, and Boko Haram operating in the area. Local governments and international actors have taken various initiatives to combat terrorism, but the security situation remains dire.

President Traoré's call for the Defense and Security Forces to ready themselves for a "high-intensity war" underscores the severity of the security challenges facing Burkina Faso. His emphasis on strengthening the Army-Nation bond and collaboration with the Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland highlights the importance of a united front in confronting the terrorist threat.

Key Takeaways

• Burkina Faso's President Traoré met with FDS to address security challenges.
• Traoré called for "high-intensity war" against terrorism and decolonization.
• Traoré praised FDS achievements and pledged to strengthen their capabilities.
• Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali formed a joint force to counter terrorism.
• Traoré emphasized the importance of Army-Nation bond and VDP collaboration.