More than 86,000 people have signed up in less than a month to join the military reserve in Burkina Faso – an initiative aiming for 100,000 reservists by the end of 2026 – announced General Celestin Simpore, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, on Sunday.
“In less than a month, we have reached over 86,000 registrations toward our goal of 100,000 reservists by the end of 2026,” the minister stated during the 66th-anniversary celebration of the
National Armed Forces (FAN) in Ouagadougou.
The ceremony was held under the theme “National Armed Forces and Military Reserve for a Sovereign Defence of the Homeland.” It was presided over by Ousmane Bougouma, President of the Legislative Assembly of the People, representing the head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traore.
According to General Simpore, the military reserve is intended to bolster the capabilities of the armed forces by mobilizing citizen volunteers to serve alongside active-duty military personnel.
“The goal is not to turn every citizen into a soldier,” he clarified, noting that volunteers will be able to contribute to national defence based on their individual skills and aptitudes.
Established by Law No. 019-2026/ALP of May 26, 2026, the military reserve consists of two components. The first includes former military personnel, former members of security forces, and former “Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland” (VDP). The second is open to citizen volunteers who have no prior military training.
Reservists may be mobilised in the event of a threat to national security, an armed conflict, a security crisis, or a natural disaster.
They will also be able to provide operational, administrative, or technical support to the National Armed Forces (FAN).
The minister called upon various socio-professional groups to take part in this civic mobilisation.
He also paid tribute to the military personnel and the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland (VDP) currently deployed in theatres of operation.
Established by the law of August 3, 1960, the National Armed Forces celebrate their anniversary on November 1 – the date that marked the official transfer of military command to Voltaic authorities in 1961.
HO/te/Sf/fss/as/APA