Burkina Faso expands military reserve and vocational training

Burkina Faso has recorded over 86,000 applications for its military reserve in just four weeks. General Célestin Simporé, Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, announced that the government aims to assemble 100,000 reservists by the end of 2026.

The reserve system, established under law n°019-2026/ALP, consists of two components: veterans from the army and security forces, including former Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and civilian volunteers without prior military training. Reservists will be mobilized during security threats, armed conflicts, or natural disasters to provide operational, administrative, or technical support.

In a separate initiative, the Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense has launched its 18th vocational training session in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. This program focuses on agriculture and livestock for 93 personnel, including 83 military members and 10 forestry agents, to assist in their career transitions. Since 2013, the reconversion program has trained 1,529 military personnel for various professional projects.