Burkina Faso: Captain Traoré Calls on Terrorists to Lay Down Arms Before It’s Too Late
The Head of State of Burkina Faso, President I. Traoré, delivered a powerful speech on Sunday, December 10, 2023, in Ouagadougou, commemorating the 63rd anniversary of Burkina Faso’s independence, addressing the triumphs and challenges since assuming office. Indeed, President I. Traoré initiated his speech by paying tribute to the unwavering dedication of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). He also expressed gratitude to the Burkinabe people for their steadfast support in the ongoing war effort.
President I. Traoré honored fallen heroes in Burkina Faso’s fight against terrorism and issued a stern warning to local collaborators of imperialism, emphasizing a decisive shift in their allegiance for the nation to regain peace. He identified terrorism in Burkina Faso as a violent manifestation of imperialism, condemning the exploitation of African states. With conviction, he declared that Burkina Faso’s resilient people would stand against these imperialist criminals in their inevitable decline.
President Ibrahim Traoré revisited the circumstances surrounding his administration’s assumption of power. He explained the conscious decision to engage in war, highlighting dormant terrorist cells reactivated by the conflict’s declaration.
The recent intensity of the fighting reassured Traoré and his comrades that these dormant cells had planned to support the war for decades. The creation of the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) marked a strategic advancement in the nation’s military capabilities.
President Traoré emphasized the urgent need for reinforcement due to the underequipped and undertrained state of the Burkinabe army upon his ascension to power. Significant progress was made through intensive recruitment and the equipping of volunteers for homeland defense. Over 11.000 recruits joined the army in 2023, with an additional 5.000 anticipated soon.
President I. Traoré elaborated on the rapid deployment of seven intervention battalions, with five more in training, underscoring their crucial role in the ongoing conflict. Additionally, two airborne intervention battalions were established, demonstrating Burkina Faso’s commitment to combat terrorism from all angles. Efforts to strengthen internal security forces were not overlooked, with special mention given to the police, gendarmerie, and forest units.
President Traoré assured the nation that Burkina Faso, with its modernized air force equipped with cutting-edge aircraft, would vigilantly monitor and pursue terrorists to their last stronghold.
The climax of President Ibrahim Traoré’s speech was a compelling call for those who had strayed into terrorism to surrender their weapons promptly. He warned that there would come a time when surrender would no longer be an option, emphasizing Burkina Faso’s unwavering commitment to fight until final victory.
