Burkina/Year II of power: The President of Faso more determined than ever to pursue his mission

The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, addressed the Burkinabè on Saturday, October 5, 2024, on the occasion of the second year of his accession to power on September 30, 2022. The live exchanges took place on the national radio in order to reach as many citizens as possible.The fight against terrorism, food security, health and education, mining governance, wage reform, the fight against corruption, in short, all subjects of national interest were discussed without thinning words during this unprecedented interview on national radio.He sent back to the whole world the image of a committed man, convinced and more determined than ever to steer the ship Burkina Faso to safety, despite the turbulence and bad weather inherent in the numerous attempts at destabilization and terrorist attacks.The Head of State said he was determined to combat social inequalities, corruption and mismanagement of public affairs, even if this affects the interests of certain rich people who often use their wealth to man ipulate the poor, in order to get them to turn their backs on the process that has been initiated.Personally targeted according to his confidences during the last terrorist attack in Barsalogho, Captain Ibrahim Traoré makes it known that he defied many so that this rural commune does not fall. 'Barsalogho and I, there is a history' he revealed.But it was a lost cause, the soldiers were more galvanized and determined to see their fight to the end to save their homeland.And this barbaric and cowardly attack will not go unpunished. An investigation is underway, responsibilities will be established and sanctions will fall, reassures the president who did not fail to pay tribute to all those who worked so that Barsalogho is and remains.On the probable extradition to Burkina Faso of the former president Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba, cited in the attack, President Traoré wants to be cautious even if discussions are underway with the Togolese authorities; 'I am not reassuring, but I hope.'A fter two years of total war, the results are now positive, says the President of Faso, because the army is much better equipped than it has ever been and it has not finished equipping itself. Recruitment will continue to make it stronger in order to achieve true independence, true sovereignty.Captain Ibrahim Traoré is clear: "2025 is decisive, and we will move in this direction to reconquer the remaining 30%" of the national territory.He bluntly states that the enemies will be fought "until they themselves raise the white flag and those who have plundered the country will be held accountable."In two years of war, many people have already returned to their original localities, said the Head of State, but specified that there are also localities, reconquered, which need preliminary work before the return of the populations.For the populations of these localities who were unable to cultivate, he announced measures to support them until next season.The authorities do not intend to remain solely in Ouaga dougou to make decisions, but to reach out to the populations within the country to understand their deepest aspirations.It is in this context that the Head of State said he instructed the ministers to go and meet the country's traditional chiefs in order to put them back in their role for the maintenance of social cohesion, unity and peace.War cannot be waged independently of development, the president said. In this sense, the government is in the dynamic of promoting local consumption. Initiatives are being taken to encourage the processing of local products and their sale.In the development aspect, the establishment of the Agency for the Promotion of Community Entrepreneurship (APEC) will make it possible to have purchasing centers that can be compared to grain banks, where farmers can come and sell their grain, and it could be resold from there and in a very controlled manner, thus avoiding speculation.In the field of health, President Traoré frankly acknowledges that the Bogodogo cancer center re opened upon his arrival cannot treat all types of cancer free of charge, which is why they have prioritized cancers in children under 15, cervical and breast cancer and prostate cancer.The capacity does not allow us to take care of everyone, which is why the second is being completed in Bobo-Dioulasso.Concerning the recurring rise in water levels on the RN1 at the Hérédougou bridge, President Traoré is planning a large, fairly deep dam going up towards Ouri in order to have a large reservoir of water and a very large dike which will benefit the populations living nearby .Since the civil service can no longer employ everyone, the head of state encourages the creation of SMEs. The wish is to return to the land and to this end, support is planned. There are enough jobs to be created in the field of agricultural production.The Faso rail project announced during a council of ministers will authorize the establishment of a rail production plant in Bobo-Dioulasso. Burkinabe will be employed there. The plant is well on track, contracts are in progress with partners and it will be able to serve many areas in the country.The Burkinabe know how to exploit their gold and they will continue to do so, says Captain Ibrahim Traoré. He recalled the first APEC mining unit in the South-West region.He also mentioned the Burkina Mining Participation Company (SOPAMIB) which is a structure that will pay for the Boungou and Wahgnion mines.On the subject of the overhaul of civil servants' salaries, the president wanted to be reassuring, it is not a question of lowering the salaries of some to raise them for others, but rather, seeing to what extent to put everyone on the same level .When will corruption end? In response to this question, the president did not make any demagogic promises. The phenomenon is hard to kill. But the fight will not give up. The Government will work to reduce it drastically. On this subject, he announced that KORAG will soon release files and instruct the Justice system to process them.More tha n a year after the establishment of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), the coordination of the fight against terrorism is going very well within the space with the establishment in each country of liaison officers who participate in the operations center. Training is initiated both within the space and beyond. In addition, the Sahelian Joint Force is in gestation.On the issue of the free movement of goods and people in the AES area, President Traoré announced an AES identity card and an AES passport that should allow people to move around freely without hassle. Each country also plans to provide mechanisms for users to report rackets.The President of Faso congratulated and encouraged all those who are fighting for our homeland (FDS, VDP and civilians) and invited everyone to stay the course.He offered his condolences to those who lost loved ones and wished a speedy recovery to all those injured.Source: Burkina Information Agency