Dori: The 65th anniversary of the FAN was commemorated under the banner of paying tribute to the pioneers and fallen soldiers. The Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) of the Sahel commemorated the 65th anniversary of the creation of the Burkinabe army on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Dori. The ceremony, presided over by the High Commissioner of Yagha, Adama Koussoube, was marked by tributes, decorations, and a strong message of unity and commitment to serving the nation.
According to Burkina Information Agency, gathered at the parade ground of Camp Liptako in Dori, the participants paid a vibrant tribute to the pioneers of the creation and development of the national army. The ceremony, understated yet solemn, included a military parade, the awarding of decorations, and the reading of the message from the Minister of Defense, delivered by Commander Fay§al Ilboudo, representing the commander of the 4th Military Region.
In his address, the minister paid tribute to the soldiers who fell on the field of honor and expressed his gratitude to the wounded, as well as to all the military and civilian personnel who work, often at the cost of their lives, to defend the national territory. He emphasized that this commemoration is intended not only as a moment of remembrance, but also as a renewed commitment to the sovereignty and security of Burkina Faso.
The ministerial message highlighted the encouraging results achieved in recent months on the ground. Thanks to coordinated and large-scale actions, the FDS and the VDP have succeeded in significantly weakening the capabilities of armed terrorist groups.
According to the minister, this progress is the result of a strategic reorganization, strengthened logistical capabilities, and a substantial increase in personnel within the armed forces. Emphasis was also placed on improving troop morale and strengthening cohesion between the different components of national defense.
The minister commended the bravery of the security forces and the crucial contribution of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), now considered an essential pillar of the national security apparatus. He encouraged the continuation of the current momentum, based on discipline, loyalty, and solidarity between the armed forces and the population.
Burkina Faso, the minister reaffirmed, remains fully committed to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), alongside Mali and Niger. Together, the three countries intend to pool their resources to rid the region of terrorism and strengthen their collective sovereignty. This alliance, seen as a pan-African response to security challenges, is based on a shared vision of territorial defense, endogenous development, and lasting stability. The minister thus called for the consolidation of this regional bloc, which, according to him, guarantees a sovereign, popular, and integrated defense, in accordance with the theme chosen for this 65th commemoration: ‘National Armed Forces Engaged with the People in the Progressive Popular Revolution for a Sovereign Defense of the Territory.’
The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognize the bravery and loyalty of nine members of the national armed forces. These awards included a Military Medal of Honor, seven Military Medals, and a Firefighters’ Medal of Honor. Among the recipients are Chief Warrant Officer Der Poda of the Gendarmerie and Warrant Officer Paliwende Gaetan Jules Dipama of the Fire Brigade, who expressed their gratitude to their superiors, their families, and the nation for this mark of recognition.
Created on August 3, 1960, by law n°74-60/AN, two days before the independence of Burkina Faso, the National Armed Forces.