The North Africa Journal – The new year began in earnest in Burkina Faso, with fresh efforts from the government to create new units and tackle funding for volunteer militiamen. The country has been facing a devastating insurgency and has a military junta that appears more focused on countering the insurgency than the previous regime.
On January 5, 2024, Burkina Faso government has approved the creation of five rapid intervention battalions. Once fully operational, the new units will be deployed in Titao, Djibo, Toma, Kantchari, and Pama, with the mission to intervene locally to face insurgent groups and to ensure the escort of convoys deemed strategic.
Junta Chief, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, also signed into law the creation of a National Commando Training Center (CNEC) to be located in the Pô Garrison. The unit’s mission is to strengthen the training of special forces as Burkina Faso prepares to up counter-insurgency operations in the months to come.
The government is also looking to fund a civilian militia active in rural areas but it has been facing headwinds. Last week, it has decided to levy 1% from the net salary of public and private sector workers, 25% on bonuses of employees of ministerial departments and state companies, and 5% on the salaries of ministers, to fund the Patriotic Support Fund (FSP). In addition, business entities will have to contribute and extra 2% of their profits.
The Patriotic Support Fund was created on January 11, 2023 to mobilize 100 billion CFA francs for the support the state-tied civilian militia known as Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland. In an effort to meet its funding goal, the government had tried to convince trade unions on an additional 1% contribution from workers’ salary, but the talks failed, with the unions insisting that there were untapped tax sources such as corporate taxes that the government should consider before taxing wages. The government then decided to impose new taxes on alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco, perfumes, and the on telecommunications sector. It has also appealed for voluntary contributions. So far, the fund has missed its 100 billion CFA franc goal, which reportedly reached 75% as of today.
