224 gendarmes honoured for their exemplary commitment...

On Friday, January 17, 2025, in Ouagadougou, 224 Burkinabe gendarmes were honored for their dedication and sense of duty. During a solemn ceremony held at Paspanga Camp, in the presence of Colonel Kouagri Natama, Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, these security forces received awards in recognition of their merits.

Of the 224 recipients, 107 were present to receive their medals, while the others continued their missions in various locations. The awards were distributed as follows: 49 commemorative medals, 59 military medals, 2 military honor medals, and 1 Knight of the Order of the Étalon medal.

Captain Ahmed Issiaka Drabo, Commander of the Ouagadougou Mobile Gendarmerie Group and recipient of the Military Honor Medal, expressed his gratitude: “This recognition inspires more selflessness, commitment, and respect for the fundamental values of our profession. I dedicate this award to my family, my fellow officers, and all the personnel who have supported me in the background”.

Also among the honorees was Captain Robert Sampawendé Compaoré, Commander of the Special Police Unit 7 Mali. He received the Knight of the Order of the Étalon medal for his service during the MINUSMA mission in Gao in 2022-2023. “We carried out actions that had a positive impact on the people of Gao and, beyond that, on Mali. I dedicate this distinction to all the brave fighters and volunteers who contributed to the success of our mission”.

With conviction, Captain Compaoré praised the momentum created by the authorities and encouraged his colleagues, as well as the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), to persevere. He urged the public to maintain hope and faith in their army. “Victory is not an option, but a certainty. Together, we will overcome these challenges and build a better future”. This ceremony highlighted the dedication and professionalism of these gendarmes, symbols of resilience in the face of the country’s security challenges.