The head of Burkina Faso’s military junta, Ibrahim Traoré, has assured that «the fight for total independence began a few weeks ago», after denouncing that part of the country «is occupied» due to the deterioration of security due to the operations of jihadist groups.
Traoré, Burkinabe transitional president, indicated in a speech on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the independence of Burkina Faso that «this fight necessarily involves weapons, but also values, behavior and the improvement of the economy».
«The battle against the enemy occupying our lands is about to begin. This battle is in its preamble», he said, before indicating that «independence was never obtained because the lands are occupied, the economy is stuttering and the hands are tied».
Thus, he applauded the military units «involved in the first ground and air actions» and thanked the people who joined the ‘volunteer’ units to reinforce the anti-terrorist fight, according to a statement published by the Burkinabe Presidency through its account on the social network Facebook.
Traoré pointed out that the authorities have received «donations of all kinds» to improve the training of the ‘volunteers’ and stressed that Ouagadougou «has held meetings with social partners to demand more sacrifices from the Burkinabe so that this fight is carried out by Burkinabe to liberate the lands of Burkina Faso».
«I ask all Burkinabe for a change of behavior, a return to our values, because this battle for total independence passes through the war that we carry out by the parties,» he said, before reiterating that «it also passes through the economy,» including «the fight against corruption.»
«Our fight will not stop until all the children of Burkina Faso satisfy their hunger and sleep peacefully in their country», said Traoré, who called on the population «to be mobilized behind the defense and security forces» to «achieve the total independence of the homeland».
Traoré led in September an uprising which was considered a ‘palace coup’ by a sector of the military junta against the then leader of the junta, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, took place in the face of the continuous deterioration of the security situation and the attacks by jihadist groups.
Burkina Faso has generally experienced a significant increase in insecurity since 2015, with attacks by both Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates, leading to a wave of internally displaced persons and refugees to other countries in the region.
