The Burkinabè government, resulting from a coup, intends to mobilize 152 million euros for a “war support fund” once morest the jihadism that has struck Burkina Faso since 2015.
This support fund “should allow us to raise 100 billion CFA francs (152 million euros) for the year” 2023, said Friday the Minister of Economy and Finance, Aboubacar Nacanabo, at the end of meeting between transition president Ibrahim Traoré, Burkinabè employers and social partners.
“As part of the fight once morest terrorism, the government has decided to recruit 50,000 volunteers for the defense of the homeland (VDP, civilian auxiliaries of the army) who will be paid 60,000 FCFA per month”, or 91 euros, a- he recalled. “In addition to this support, there are weapons to be paid for to equip them, outfits for their clothing, gear and fuel for their travels,” said Mr. Nacanabo.
In addition to the “voluntary contributions” which “will not be enough”, there is “the idea of a levy of 1% on the net salary of all workers, including MPs, to support the fight once morest terrorism” , as well as taxes on the consumption of certain products, such as drink, tobacco, internet connection and luxury goods, he said.
On December 1, the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Kiélem de Tembela, asked France for “weapons and ammunition” for the army auxiliaries, during a meeting with the French ambassador to Burkina Faso.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been regularly bereaved by jihadist attacks that have killed thousands and forced some two million people to flee their homes.
These attacks by groups linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda targeting soldiers and civilians have multiplied in recent months, mainly in the north and east of the country.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, transitional president resulting from a military coup on September 30 – the second in eight months – has set himself the objective of “reconquering the territory occupied by these hordes of terrorists”.
Following a recruitment campaign, 90,000 civilians signed up to join the VDP, called to assist the army in its fight once morest the jihadists.
