APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) The two elite army units will be stationed in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, which is regularly prey to atrocities by armed terrorist groups.
On 21 July 2023, the Head of State signed a decree creating the 52nd Commando Infantry Regiment (RIC), based in Tougan.
In another decree signed on the same date, Captain Ibrahim Traore set up the 53rd RIC stationed in Nouna.
Both towns are located in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, which regularly suffers from terrorist attacks.
The two RICs are responsible for “the operational preparation of personnel and equipment capable of participating in the execution of missions devolved to the Army,” as explained in the two presidential
decrees.
Having come to power in September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traore has made a number of changes within the army. In November 2022, he created Rapid Intervention Battalions and new military regions.
Nearly 20 new commanders of the armed forces have been appointed since then. In early April, Colonel-Major Celestin Simpore was appointed Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, replacing Colonel-Major David
Kabre, who was subsequently appointed Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Ghana.
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