Regiment of Presidential Security

Regiment of Presidential Security
Régiment de sécurité présidentielle
A badge with a parachute and two wings, the roundel of Burkina Faso and a dagger. Around the roundel is written in French État-Major Particulier (Personal Staff). A rectangle at the top of the badge contains the words Présidence du Faso (Presidency of the [Burkina] Faso)
Insignia of the RSP
Active1995–2015
Country Burkina Faso
AllegiancePresident of Burkina Faso
BranchBurkina Faso Armed Forces
TypePretorian guard
RoleVIP protection
Size≈1,300[1]
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Gilbert Diendéré

The Regiment of Presidential Security (French: Régiment de la sécurité présidentielle, RSP), sometimes known as the Presidential Security Regiment,[2] was the secret service organisation responsible for VIP security to the President of Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. It was autonomous from the Army. Until 31 October 2014, the President was Blaise Compaoré, a military officer who came to power in a 1987 coup d'état. The elite unit was well known for its frequent involvement in the politics of Burkina Faso, acting as the iron fist of President Compaoré in his domination of the country. They were said to be widely feared by many people in the country,[3] which in 2012 – two years prior to the end of Compaoré's government – was described by the Democracy Index as an "authoritarian regime".[4]

After 2014 Burkinabé uprising, on 1 November 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Yacouba Isaac Zida – deputy commander of the Regiment of Presidential Security – briefly took over as Acting President following Compaoré's ouster. Later in the month, Zida was named Prime Minister. On 16 September 2015, after its disbandment was recommended, the RSP staged another coup that took Michel Kafando and his government hostage. The Army stepped in and Kafando was reinstated on 23 September. The Regiment of Presidential Security was disbanded, as previously recommended, on 25 September 2015.

  1. ^ "What was behind the coup in Burkina Faso?". BBC World News-Africa. BBC. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Towards reforming the Burkinabé security system? :: Observatoire of Arab-Muslim World and Sahel :: Foundation for Strategic Research :: FRS".
  3. ^ Francis, Dana J. (2007). Explaining Democratic Differences in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Ann Arbor. p. 139. ISBN 978-054-971-489-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "Democracy index 2012: Democracy at a standstill" (PDF). Economist Intelligence Unit. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2014.