Burkina Faso: Colonel-Major Célestin Simporé is the new Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces

Burkinabe soldiers, October 1, 2022, in Ouagadougou (illustration image). REUTERS - VINCENT BADO

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1 min

So there is change in Burkina Faso, at the head of the national armed forces. Captain Ibrahim Traoré, president of the transition, is making new appointments to the armed forces that were announced yesterday, Friday evening, March 31.

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In Burkina Faso, Colonel-Major Célestin Simporé becomes the new Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces (Cemga). He was, until then, Deputy Chief of the General Staff; he replaces Colonel-Major David Kabré. According to defence sector observers on the ground, it was the latter who had convinced senior army officers to accept Captain Ibrahim Traoré as head of the transition.

The former president of the national assizes

It should be noted that the new Chief of General Staff Célestin Simporé is the one who chaired the national conference of October 2022 which had designated Captain Traoré as president of the just transition after the September putsch. The Burkinabe leader of the junta also appointed Colonel Théophile Nikièma as the new chief of staff of the army. He replaces Colonel Adam Neré who has held this position since February 2022.

Faithful

It is therefore a faithful of the captain who has been appointed. According to a source familiar with military issues in Burkina Faso, these changes come as the Burkinabe army is divided over the strategy to follow against armed groups. And that deadly attacks attributed to jihadists are increasing.

READ ALSO: Burkina Faso: a supply convoy arrived in Djibo

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  • Burkina Faso
  • Defense
  • Ibrahim Traoré
  • Terrorism