The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGA), Major General Élisée Jean DAO, paid an official visit to the National Gendarmerie Headquarters on Monday, August 24, 2026.
This visit is part of a series of official visits to the various headquarters and service directorates under his command.
The aim of this initiative is to meet with the relevant officials, learn about the operations of the different structures, and reiterate the command's directives.
Welcomed by the Director General of the National Gendarmerie, Brigadier General Moussa Toumani KONE, Major General Élisée Jean DAO met with the institution's senior officials and officers.
The discussions focused in particular on operational issues, unit capabilities, and the challenges related to fulfilling the missions of the National Gendarmerie.
During the discussions, Major General Élisée Jean DAO reiterated the command's priorities, notably strengthening the operational effectiveness of units, force cohesion, and the continuous availability of personnel for mission operations, particularly in the context of the fight against terrorism.
At the heart of the discussions, operational autonomy emerged as one of the command's major priorities. For General DAO, this depends in particular on developing human resources, strengthening the operational defense of the territory, and improving unit readiness.
The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (CEMGA) particularly emphasized the human factor, considered the primary driver of military performance. He called on the officers of the National Gendarmerie to increase their efforts in the instruction, training, and operational readiness of personnel, in order to have seasoned, well-prepared units capable of intervening effectively in various theaters of operation.
In the current security context, the National Gendarmerie plays a vital role in the country's defense apparatus. Beyond its traditional judicial and administrative policing duties, it is involved in military operations, particularly in border areas and hard-to-reach regions.
Intelligence is also a major contribution of the institution. Thanks to its investigative capabilities and its knowledge of the terrain, the Gendarmerie contributes to the effectiveness of operations conducted by all branches of the Armed Forces. Major General Élisée Jean DAO commended this development and the efforts undertaken to strengthen the Gendarmerie's capabilities, notably through the recruitment of auxiliary gendarmes and the modernization of infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the discussions, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces noted the determination of the officers and the ongoing development of the National Gendarmerie. He nevertheless emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen cohesion among personnel, units, and the various levels of command. This cohesion, he stated, remains a determining factor in collective effectiveness and the success of missions to defend and secure the territory.
This visit is part of the outreach approach undertaken by the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces with the various components under his command. It reflects the commitment to strengthening dialogue with leaders, better understanding operational realities, and consolidating, at all levels, the preparedness and effectiveness of the Armed and Security Forces in the face of security challenges.
Sgt. Dougo Aminata KONE
