Since the advent of the Popular Progressive Revolution, Burkina Faso has been experimenting with an original political innovation: citizen watch. Driven by the National Coordination of Citizen Watch Associations (CNAVC), this dynamic turns citizens into direct actors in security, the defense of institutions, and national development.
In a context of information warfare, the CNAVC plays a crucial role. Disinformation campaigns, deepfakes, and fake news aim to sow division, erode trust in institutions, and destabilize the country. Faced with this threat, citizen watch associations position themselves as sentinels of truth.
They verify information, denounce manipulation, and spread awareness messages in their communities. In August 2026, the CNAVC reaffirmed its commitment alongside the authorities to preserve the country’s integrity and called on citizens to remain vigilant against false information.
Citizen watch is not limited to defense. It also supports public policies by participating in raising awareness among populations, relaying official messages, and contributing to the implementation of development programs.
CNAVC members get involved in sanitation campaigns, community work, and reforestation initiatives. They become relays of public action, facilitating public support for the reforms undertaken.
The CNAVC has also distinguished itself in defending the institutions of the Republic. It supports the defense and security forces, denounces acts of sabotage, and helps maintain national cohesion. By participating in the protection of infrastructure and the surveillance of localities, citizen watch members contribute directly to the country’s stability.
This model of popular participation in governance, where citizens become direct actors in security and development, constitutes a major political innovation.
It strengthens the legitimacy of institutions, consolidates national cohesion, and demonstrates that sovereignty is not decreed only from above: it is built with the people, by the people, and for the people. The CNAVC embodies this conviction that every citizen is a rampart, every vigilance a shield.
