Bankui: The Burkinabe flag flies again over Yemafota (fictitious name), a village located in the Bankui Region, formerly under the influence of terrorists. Thanks to the determined action of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), supported by the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), the locality today breathes tranquility and is gradually coming back to life.
According to Burkina Information Agency, after months of exile and deprivation, the resettled residents speak movingly of their relief and determination to rebuild their future. Open shops, a bustling market, functional sewing and mechanic workshops, and the resumption of basic social services reflect a renewed sense of life.
“Since our return, the atmosphere has been good. People have returned en masse, and for the past five months, there haven’t been any major problems,” says one resident. The newfound security also encourages farmers who are counting on the promising agricultural season to fuel hopes of good harvests.
“Friday, market day, is now a big celebration. The peanut, corn, and bean seeds have all done well. The atmosphere has returned, there’s music in the cabarets, and people are getting together,” another rejoices. Ali (not his real name), a resident who returned from exile, expressed his gratitude: “With everything we’ve been through, I still wonder how the authorities and the FDS managed to get us back to our village.
“Today the market is working better than before and everyone is back on track. Really, thank you a million times,” he says emotionally. A shopkeeper whose shop was burned down during the attacks also shared his satisfaction: “Before, we lived in fear, not knowing when to flee. Today, we work in solidarity. The market is reopening, and we sincerely thank the authorities who did everything to give us hope.”
In the health sector, the recovery is also noticeable. “We had to close the CSPS in December 2023. But since March 2025, with the return of safety, we have reopened and are resuming consultations. The main thing is that we are once again alongside our population,” explains a health worker.
In Yemafota, residents, defense forces, volunteers and local authorities share the same feeling: that of the rebirth of a long-scarred village, now a symbol of courage, resilience and hope. The reconquest is thus accompanied by a consolidation of peace and a firm desire to build a bright future, thanks to the commitment of the fighting forces and the resilience of the populations.