Ouagadougou:The Minister of State, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, Major General Celestin Simpore, has urged a nationwide mobilization of skills and resources to bolster Burkina Faso's sovereign defense. This call was made during an inaugural conference in Ouagadougou, marking the 66th anniversary of the National Armed Forces (FAN), centered on the theme "National Armed Forces and Military Reserves for a Sovereign Defense of the Homeland".
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister emphasized that national defense should not depend solely on active military forces. Instead, it requires the organized involvement of citizens through a military reserve system, which strengthens personnel numbers and leverages civilian skills beneficial to defense.
Major General Simpore highlighted the strategic value of the military reserve, describing it as a crucial link between the army and society, as well as between a soldier's duty and a citizen's responsibility. He clarified that while the initiative is not aimed at turning every citizen into a soldier, it allows eligible individuals to serve within a structured and disciplined framework suited to national defense needs.
The Minister also mentioned the adoption of a law on May 26, 2026, regarding the status of the military reserve in Burkina Faso. This legislation marks a significant advancement in restructuring defense tools and reinforcing the connection between the army and the nation. He emphasized that the Armed Forces and military reserve are complementary components of the national ambition to secure Burkina Faso's defense, territorial integrity, and independence.
Participants of the conference were encouraged to explore the missions and operations of the military reserve further to better address its practical implementation. "Defense sovereignty begins with confidence in our forces, in our own capabilities," Simpore stated, advocating for organized and collective efforts to defend the homeland.
Colonel Major Souleymane Traore, chairman of the organizing committee, noted that this conference is the first in a series of events planned for the 66th anniversary of the FAN, celebrated on November 1st. The program includes cultural and sporting activities, conferences, military parades, decorations, and tributes.
Colonel Major Traore paid tribute to the soldiers and combatants who have perished in defense of the nation, extending condolences to the wounded, and to the widows and orphans affected by terrorism. He also expressed gratitude to the organizing committee members and military authorities for their support in preparing the anniversary events. The commemoration serves as a reminder of the National Armed Forces' creation in 1960 and reaffirms the solidarity between defense forces, homeland defense volunteers, and the Burkinabe people.