Burkina Faso Hails Security Gains and Food Self-Sufficiency in 2025

Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré highlighted major security gains, including the recapture of towns from terrorist groups through Operation Lalmassga, and celebrated the country’s achievement of food self-sufficiency in 2025. He outlined plans for 2026 to expand agriculture, infrastructure, education, health, and mining, while reaffirming a sovereign foreign policy and calling on citizens to embrace integrity, patriotism, and national development.

Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, delivered his traditional end-of-year address on December 31, offering an optimistic assessment of the country’s achievements in 2025 while outlining ambitious plans for 2026. In his address, Traoré emphasized the progress made in national security, particularly highlighting the success of Operation Lalmassga, also known as “Ice Wall.” This military campaign enabled the Burkinabe armed forces to reclaim dozens of towns and areas that had previously been under the control of terrorist groups. Key areas of focus included the Nakambé region near Kompienga Dam, Namungu in Gulmu, and Namsiguia around Djibo and Toulfé. Traoré pledged that military operations would continue up to the national borders and commended both the army and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) for their role in the ongoing territorial reconquest, portraying them as central to the country’s strengthened security situation.
On the humanitarian front, Traoré noted that thousands of internally displaced people have returned to secure areas. These returnees have been provided with support to resume agricultural activities and benefit from newly built infrastructure, marking a significant improvement in both safety and living conditions for affected communities. The president emphasized that the government remains committed to ensuring stability and providing opportunities for citizens to rebuild their lives in previously conflict-affected areas.
Agriculture emerged as a major achievement in Traoré’s address. He announced that Burkina Faso reached food self-sufficiency in 2025, a milestone attributed to effective agricultural campaigns, the use of improved seeds, government subsidies, and mechanization initiatives. Looking ahead to 2026, Traoré outlined plans to further develop agricultural land, implement water retention projects, expand aquaculture, and increase fodder crop production. These initiatives are designed to strengthen the country’s food security and promote sustainable economic growth, ensuring that Burkina Faso can maintain self-sufficiency and meet the needs of its population.
In addition to security and agriculture, the president touched on other key sectors such as mining, education, and health. He highlighted ongoing efforts to regain control over mineral resources, which are vital for the country’s economic development. In education, the government plans to expand technical and professional training programs to equip citizens with skills for the modern workforce. Health infrastructure is also set for reinforcement, with initiatives aimed at improving access to medical services across the country. Traoré further announced that infrastructure development would continue, with new road construction brigades and a shift toward high-rise urban planning, signaling a broader push toward modernization and urban development.
Traoré also reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s commitment to a sovereign foreign policy, emphasizing that the country will welcome partners who respect its national independence while rejecting external pressures or interference. He concluded his address by calling on citizens to uphold national values such as integrity, dignity, and patriotism. He urged all Burkinabe to embrace a vision of a new, corruption-free Burkina Faso focused on sustainable national development, unity, and progress, reflecting a message of hope and national pride as the country enters 2026.