On November 2, 2026, during the monthly ceremony of hoisting national colors in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, praised the commitment of security forces in protecting populations. However, he condemned certain practices contrary to the values of the Revolutionary Progressive People's (RPP), particularly the misuse of the Laabal card for extortion and corruption.
Minister Sana reported on various activities conducted by his department, highlighting positive results from awareness and repression operations related to helmet use. A strategic orientation council session was held to develop a strategy to combat corruption, evaluate the performance contract, and produce a third-quarter activity report. Additionally, the Police Commissioners' Conference took place on October 21-22.
The Minister mentioned several other activities that marked October, including the government's exhibition on the achievements of the RPP, the continued decentralization of passport issuance, and the opening of a service in Ziniaré on October 13. A modern police control and surveillance post was launched on the RN3 highway on October 14.
Minister Sana specifically addressed the misuse of the Laabal card by road control agents. He stated that instead of facilitating user transactions for fines, the card was used as a means of pressure and an instrument of corruption to extort money from people. He assured that he would be uncompromising towards agents involved in these practices.
The Laabal card was initially intended to allow users to continue their journey after an infraction while enabling them to pay their fine later. This measure aimed to end the systematic immobilization of vehicles and their transport to police stations. Minister Sana explained that before the card's introduction, users had to go to the police station to pay their fines after their vehicle was immobilized.
Minister Sana emphasized that repression should have an educational purpose, encouraging agents to prioritize user awareness and education. He also urged road users to exercise more caution and responsibility while driving. The Minister expressed satisfaction with the adoption of helmet use by the population, crediting his collaborators and the Burkinabé people for this progress.
The Minister's address was followed by the presentation of trophies won by police teams in various competitions, including football, volleyball, pétanque, and maracana. The event concluded with a call for users to demand the Laabal card when stopped by agents, ensuring that the card is used for its intended purpose.
Key points
- The Minister of Security denounced the misuse of the Laabal card for corruption and extortion.
- The Laabal card was introduced to facilitate the payment of traffic fines and prevent vehicle immobilization.
- The Minister emphasized the need for repression to have an educational purpose, prioritizing user awareness and education.
