Burkina Faso Unveils Cabinet Changes, Renames Key Ministries

Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities have announced a cabinet reshuffle that introduces new ministers and rebrands several government departments, signaling a shift in how state action is framed and organized.

The changes include both personnel updates and structural adjustments, with a number of ministries receiving new titles as part of what officials describe as a reorientation of government priorities.
One of the most significant moves concerns the defense portfolio. The former Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs has been renamed the Ministry of War and Patriotic Defense, underscoring a stronger emphasis on national security. General Célestin Simporé was reappointed to the post and continues to hold the rank of Minister of State.

Two new ministers have joined the government. Annick Pickbougoum Zingué has been appointed Minister of Sports and Recreation, taking over from Roland Somda. Her appointment follows Burkina Faso’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations tournament currently taking place in Morocco.

Moumouni Zoungrana was also brought into the cabinet as Minister of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training.

Several ministries were renamed without changes to their leadership. The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Security is now known as the Ministry of Servants of the People, remaining under the leadership of Mathias Traoré. The Ministry of Urbanization and Housing has been rebranded as the Ministry of National Construction, still headed by Mikaïlou Sidibé.

As part of the restructuring, the Ministries of Infrastructure and Environment were removed from the current government framework.
Additional adjustments include the renaming of the Ministry of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity to the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, while the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene has been simplified to the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Justice and Human Rights is now the Ministry of Justice. Leadership of these portfolios remains unchanged, with Pélagie Kaboré, Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, and Edasso Rodrigue Bayala continuing in their respective roles.