Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense of Burkina Faso

The Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense of Burkina Faso (French: Ministère de la Guerre et de la Défense Patriotique) is the government agency responsible for overseeing the national defense and security of the Burkina Faso. It is one of the key ministries in the Burkinabé government and plays a crucial role in the management of the Burkina Faso Armed Forces. History It was founded on May 1, 1959 as the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Upper Volta with Maurice Yaméogo as its first minister. The National Army was created on August 3, 1960 by Law No. 74-60/AN, following Upper Volta's accession to independence. It was formed on the basis of the former French colonial army and comprised officers, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted personnel. The official transfer of command between the French and Voltaic military authorities took place on November 1, 1961. In 2014, it was renamed to the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs of Burkina Faso (French: Ministère de la Défense nationale et des Anciens combattants). In January 2026, as part of the Progressive and Popular Revolution started by Burkinabe President Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, the ministry was renamed to the Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense. Structure Cabinet Composition The Minister's Office includes: Chief of Staff; Private Secretariat; Technical Advisors; Mission Officers Unit; Protocol; Security. Organization General Inspectorate of the National Armed Forces; national gendarmerie; Military Justice; Army Detention and Correctional Facility (MACA) National Fire Brigade; Strategic Analysis Directorate; Military Administration; Veterans Office Structures under supervision: International Military Sports Council (CISM); Western Liaison Office (WLO); Ministerial Committee for the Fight against AIDS and STIs (CMLS). Ministers The minister is the political head of the ministry. They are appointed by the president of Burkina Faso and are responsible for providing strategic direction and leadership to the ministry. The minister oversees the implementation of defense policies, represents the ministry at national and international forums, and acts as the primary point of contact for matters related to defense. List of ministers Maurice Yaméogo (01-05-1959 to 01-05-1961) Georges Bamina Nébié (02-05-1961 to 10-05-1962) Michel Tougouma (11-05-1962 to 07-12-1965) Maurice Yaméogo (08-12-1965 to 07-01-1966) Lamizana Aboubacar Sangoulé (08-01-1966 to 05-04-1967) Arzouma Ouédraogo (06-04-1967 to 21-02-1971) Daouda Traoré (22-02-1971 to 09-02-1974) Baba Sy (10-02-74 to 15-07-78) François Bouda (16-07-1978 to 06-12-1980) Saye Zerbo (07-12-1980 to 26-11-1982) Jean-Baptiste OUEDRAOGO (26 November 1982 – 23 August 1983) Jean-Baptiste Boukary Lingani (23 August 1983 - 18 September 1989) Blaise COMPAORE (21-09-1989 au 25-07-1991) Lassané OUANGRAWA (26-07-1991 au 18-06-1992) Yarga LARBA (19-06-1992 au 21-03-1994) Kanidoua Naboho (22-03-1994 au 11-06-1995) Kanidoua Naboho (1994-1995) Badaye FAYAMA (11-06-1995 au 09-06-1997 Albert MILLOGO 10-06-1997 au 12-11-2000) Kouamé Lougué (2000 – 17 January 2004) Yéro Boly (17 January 2004 – 21 April 2011) Blaise Compaoré (21 April 2011 - November 23, 2014) Yacouba Isaac Zida (November 23, 2014 – July 16, 2015) Michel Kafando (July 16, 2015 – January 13, 2016) Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (January 13, 2016 – February 20, 2017) Jean-Claude Bouda (February 20, 2017 - January 24, 2019) Moumina Chérif Sy (January 24, 2019 – June 30, 2021) Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (30 June – 10 December 2021) Aimé Barthélémy Simporé (10 December 2021 – 12 September 2022) Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba (12 – September 30, 2022) Kassoum Coulibaly (November 3, 2022 – December 8, 2024) Célestin Simporé (December 8, 2024 - Present) See also Government of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Armed Forces References External links Website