Burkina Faso plans to significantly expand its national military training capacity to develop security personnel tailored to local operational realities while reducing dependency on foreign training programs.
Speaking on Friday in Ouagadougou during the “Dialogue with the People” session held as part of the National Days of Patriotic Commitment and Civic Participation (JEPPC), Minister of State for Defence General Célestin Simporé emphasized that Africa must retain its top talent to drive sovereign development and address domestic security imperatives directly.
Addressing public concerns on border security, organized crime, and force expansion, General Simporé reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening military presence along the southern border with Côte d’Ivoire, particularly in the Southwest and Mangodara areas, while calling for active community participation in national defense efforts. The Defence Minister also outlined measures to streamline the recruitment of 100,000 reservists through a new registration platform and decentralized regional facilities. Defending public access to military training scholarships, General Simporé noted that broadening institutional access aligns with broader defense strategy to build specialized national capabilities and engage young citizens in long-term security initiatives.
HO/te/lb/abj/APA