The President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has announced a restructured government, reducing the number of ministerial departments from 24 to 22. The changes were made public on Monday evening through state media and form part of a broader cabinet reshuffle aimed at reorganising the administration.
As part of the overhaul, four ministers were relieved of their duties, while two new officials were brought into government. The reshuffle comes at a moment for the country, only days after authorities disclosed that security services had foiled an attempted coup targeting the current leadership. Captain Traoré has been in power since taking control in a military takeover in 2022.
The reduction in ministries was achieved through the merger of several departments. The former Ministry of Infrastructure and Land Access was combined with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning to create a new entity known as the Ministry of Homeland Construction. This move is intended to reduce responsibilities related to national development and urban planning.
Also, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources was merged with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation. The new body now operates under the title Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources, bringing together sectors considered central to food security and environmental management.
The reshuffle also introduced a series of name changes across key ministries. The Ministry of Civil Service, Labour and Social Protection has been rebranded as the Ministry of Servants of the People, reflecting a shift in emphasis toward public service.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs now carries the name Ministry of War and Patriotic Defence.
Other changes include the simplification of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, in charge of Relations with Institutions and Keeper of the Seals, which has been shortened to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad has been renamed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity is now known as the Ministry of Family and Solidarity.
