Burkina Faso Security Ministry warns against Laabal card misuse

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, has issued a warning regarding the misuse of the ‘Laabal’ card by certain road control agents. According to a ministry communiqué released on October 29, 2026, reports from citizens suggest that some officers are using the card as a tool for racketeering and corruption rather than its intended purpose.

The Laabal card was designed to facilitate the payment of traffic fines, allowing motorists and motorcyclists to settle penalties at a later date to avoid the systematic seizure of their vehicles. The ministry emphasized that the card is a facilitation tool and not an instrument of coercion, noting that community service should not be its primary objective.

Minister Sana has urged citizens to systematically demand the Laabal card during traffic stops, stating that such a request will be viewed as a civic act and may serve as a mitigating circumstance. The ministry reiterated that road safety and social justice must be built on transparency, civility, and mutual respect between road users and security forces.