Burkina Faso integrates 943 new soldiers into national army

On 4 August 2026, a flag‑presentation ceremony was held at the Ouezzin‑Coulibaly camp in Bobo‑Dioulasso, marking the official entry of 943 recruits from the third wave of the 2025 contingent into the Burkina Faso Armed Forces. The ceremony was presided over by Lieutenant‑Colonel Lassané Porgo, commander of the 2nd Military Region, and featured speeches emphasizing loyalty, discipline and the defence of the nation.

The recruits, including 30 women, completed a 20‑week initial training programme focused on counter‑terrorism skills such as combat, shooting, first aid, close‑quarters tactics and improvised‑explosive‑device awareness. They were presented with the national flag and military insignia, pledging to protect the country’s territorial integrity and safeguard its population.