President Traoré Charges New Military Graduates at Georges-NAMOANO Academy

Burkina Faso’s President and Supreme Chief of the National Armed Forces, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, presided over the graduation ceremony of the 24th cohort of active officer students at the Georges-NAMOANO Military Academy (AMGN) in Pô on June 14, 2025.

The event marked the commissioning of 135 sub-lieutenants from across 11 African nations—110 from Burkina Faso and 25 others from Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Djibouti, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Chad, and Togo.

This cross-national representation highlights the Academy’s growing reputation as a hub for elite military training in the region.

This year’s cohort, named the “Captain-ZOUMA-Maxime” promotion in honor of a fallen hero, was mentored by Brigadier General Vinta Some, who served as the official sponsor of the class.

The graduates were led by their delegate, ZOUNDI Marc Victorien, and had undergone intensive training in areas such as counter-IED operations, tactical warfare, motorized combat, and intelligence gathering—skills essential for tackling today’s asymmetric threats.

President Traoré delivered a stirring charge to the young officers, urging them to take up arms not only with discipline and honor but with a deep sense of national duty.

“You are called to fight to liberate the country and avenge those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Traoré declared.

He further encouraged the graduates to embody the values of professionalism, resilience, and adaptability in the face of Burkina Faso’s ongoing security challenges.

“Be professional, committed, and adaptable soldiers,” he added, underscoring the crucial role the new officers will play in defending the nation’s sovereignty and restoring peace across volatile regions.