Koglweogo. Defenders of Nature. Traditional Self-Defence Forces of Burkina Faso (2017)
About two decades ago, in Burkina Faso -as a result of the lack of security, the corruption of law enforcement and the bribery of judicial authorities -the emergence armed self-defence groups created mainly to fight robbery, thieves and armed assaults began to emerge. These militias, popularly known in the Mossi language as “Koglweogo” (like the Defenders of Nature) have become the law and occupy the territory where police and military forces are absent within a completely corrupt system.
Dressed in their traditional uniforms and weapons of past centuries, these soldiers are famous for their unorthodox methods of interrogation and punishment. Suspects are tied to a tree trunk and whipped mercilessly with pepper-soaked whips until they confess. If not, they will be chained to a small dungeon at a temperature of more than 43 degrees until their trial and have enough money to return the stolen items to their victims.
The members of the Koglweogo (well respected by the community, which can sleep more peacefully in the face of a marked drop in criminality) boast strong results: 0% repetition among their detainees. “We work for the poor people, and that is why they love and support us”, since this paramilitary body is made up of volunteers who don´t charge for their services.
The forty soldiers of the Koglweogo in Goudrin who watch over and care for the more than 53,000 inhabitants of this slum outside Ouagadougou are very clear: “Those who do not like Koglweogo are because they are thieves”.
