Ouagadougou (Agencies)
The transitional president of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, said yesterday that “the struggle for complete independence has begun” in his country, which has witnessed acts of violence committed by terrorists since 2015.
In an address to the nation on the 62nd anniversary of the independence of this former French colony, Traoré said: “This is not the time to celebrate and our independence has not been achieved because our lands are occupied, our economy is faltering and our hands are tied.”
Captain Traoré underlined that “the struggle for complete independence has begun”, emphasizing that “this struggle does not necessarily pass through weapons, but also through our values, our behaviors and the recovery of our economy”.
He asked his compatriots for “more sacrifices” so that “the Burkinabes free the lands of Burkina Faso”. He urged them to “remain confident, united and collected behind the defense and security forces,” as well as “our valiant homeland defense volunteers,” the civilian auxiliary force of the army.
“There is hope, because we will not give up and we will go to the end of this fight for the full independence of our country,” said Traoré. “Our fight will not end until all the children of Burkina Faso have enough to eat and sleep peacefully in their country,” she said.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has continuously witnessed terrorist attacks that have killed thousands and forced nearly two million people to flee their homes.
In recent months, attacks by groups linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda against soldiers and civilians have multiplied, especially in the north and east of the country.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the transitional president who assumed power on September 30, within eight months, has set himself the goal of “reclaiming the lands occupied by these hordes of terrorists” who control forty percent of the country.
After a recruitment campaign, 90,000 civilians join the Homeland Defense Volunteers, who help the army fight terrorists.
