Burkina Faso Military Forces 🇧🇫

Strategic Position

Burkina Faso is at the center of a spreading Islamist insurgency in the Sahel, which defines its current strategic position. Its location at the crossroads of Mali, Niger, and coastal West African states makes it a key battleground for groups seeking to expand their territory and control illicit trade routes. The country faces a severe internal security crisis, with non-state armed groups, including Jama'at Nasr Al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), controlling an estimated 40% of the territory. This has led to massive internal displacement and a dire humanitarian situation.

Following two military coups in 2022, the ruling junta has prioritized a military-focused approach and has politically pivoted away from traditional Western partners and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), from which it withdrew in January 2025 alongside Mali and Niger. This has led to a policy of "strategic autonomy," emphasizing national efforts to combat terrorism.

Military Forces

The Armed Forces of Burkina Faso consist of the Army (L'Armée de Terre - LAT), Air Force, and National Gendarmerie. The military's primary focus is counter-insurgency operations within its own borders. To address this, the armed forces have undergone significant reorganization. The number of military regions has been expanded from three to six to better cover the most insecure areas in the Sahel, Boucle du Mouhoun, and eastern regions.

The government is actively trying to bolster its military capabilities through the massive acquisition of equipment. Recent procurements, notably from China, include WMA301 fire-support vehicles and CS/SM1 self-propelled mortars. A key element of the current strategy is the establishment of a Special Rapid Intervention Brigade, which integrates rapid intervention battalions and special forces to enhance offensive actions against insurgent groups. The state has also relied heavily on recruiting tens of thousands of civilian auxiliaries, known as Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), to support the regular army, though they receive minimal training.

Current and Foreseeable Strategic Trends

The dominant strategic trend is the military junta's attempt to regain control of territory through an aggressive, military-first strategy. This involves a massive mobilization of human resources, including the VDP, and a significant increase in military hardware. The government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré appears focused on military action rather than dialogue with militants.

A second trend is the strategic realignment with other Sahelian states under military rule—Mali and Niger—forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This alliance signals a departure from broader regional cooperation via ECOWAS and a move towards a security-focused bloc. In the near future, the military's effectiveness will depend on its ability to integrate new equipment, coordinate operations between conventional forces and the VDP, and sustain its war effort financially and logistically. The reliance on lightly trained civilian volunteers and the continued political instability following the junta's decision to extend its rule for five years present significant risks to long-term stabilization.