Dedougou: The city of Dedougou hosted the launch ceremony for the community policing program, known as "Polisi I Nisonisa," in the Bankui and Sourou regions on Monday, March 23, 2026. The ceremony was presided over by the regional governor, Babo Pierre Bassinga, in the presence of administrative, traditional, and religious authorities, as well as community leaders.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this initiative aims to strengthen local security in a context marked by accelerated urbanization, high population mobility, and diversified crime forms. Governor Babo Pierre Bassinga emphasized the necessity of a "preventive, participatory and community-based" security approach, which involves collaboration between defense and security forces and the local population.

The initiative is named "Polisi I Nisonisa" in the Bwamu language, translating to "the police, my neighbor." This operational unit is designed to bring the police closer to the community, focusing on awareness, prevention, and partnership rather than solely on repression. Its mission includes promoting dialogue with communities, identifying neighborhood-specific security risks, conducting awareness campaigns, and encouraging citizen involvement in security management.

Governor Bassinga called upon traditional and religious leaders, along with neighborhood chiefs, to engage in mediation, monitoring, and awareness-raising activities. He reassured the population about the confidentiality of provided information and stressed the importance of breaking the silence on security threats. The regional authority urged officers of the new unit to exhibit exemplary conduct and professionalism to foster trust and collaboration between the police and citizens.

Divisional Commissioner Valentin Kabore, the regional director of the national police, announced that approximately thirty specially trained agents have been deployed for the pilot phase in Dedougou. These agents will engage directly with community members to gather concerns and offer coordinated responses. Following the launch ceremony, awareness sessions commenced to acquaint the local population with the unit's missions and encourage their support.

Through "Polisi I Nisonisa," the authorities aim to bolster community resilience against security challenges and promote citizen participation in ensuring their own safety.