Burkina Faso and Türkiye have moved to deepen security cooperation, with a Turkish gendarmerie delegation holding talks in Ouagadougou as the two countries also explore a formal defense and security agreement.
A delegation from Türkiye’s General Command of the Gendarmerie, led by Lieutenant General Aykut Tanrıverdi, held discussions with Burkina Faso’s defence and security authorities on October 21, according to Actualite.bf.
The visit was presented by Burkina Faso’s National Gendarmerie as part of efforts to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries.
The Turkish delegation met Burkina Faso’s Defense Minister Major General Célestin Simporé and Security Minister Mahamadou Sana and Armed Forces Chief of General Staff Major General Moussa Diallo during the visit. Talks focused on counterterrorism, transnational crime, border security and closer coordination between defense and internal security forces.
Burkina Faso’s gendarmerie said the exchanges also covered experience-sharing, training structures and operational effectiveness, while the Turkish delegation visited the force’s Special Legion to learn about its missions and capabilities.
The meetings followed the first round of Burkina Faso–Türkiye political consultations in Ankara on October 20. There, the two sides discussed cooperation in education, health, agriculture, mining, energy and security, and Türkiye expressed interest in concluding a defense and security agreement with Ouagadougou.
Türkiye has become an increasingly important security partner for Burkina Faso as the Sahel state diversifies its international ties amid strained relations with France. Burkina Faso signed a defense agreement with Ankara in 2019 and has since acquired Turkish drones and armored vehicles, while Turkish defense cooperation in the region has expanded to include training, equipment and technical support.
The two countries are expected to prepare the fourth Burkina Faso–Türkiye joint cooperation commission, scheduled to take place in Ouagadougou in 2027.
