Ziniare: The Minister of State, Minister of War, Brigadier General Celestin Simpore, and the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, paid a visit on Tuesday to the Rapid Intervention Battalion of Ziniare, in the Oubri region. The purpose of this visit was to convey the congratulations and encouragement of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, to the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) as well as to the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) engaged in this unit.
According to Burkina Information Agency, in the parade ground, the two ministers spoke with the troops, commending their efforts on the ground in the fight to retake national territory. The Minister of State, Brigadier General Celestin Simpore, considered the results achieved to be encouraging. "You are doing considerable work in your missions for the return of peace to Burkina Faso, for the true independence of our country, its sovereignty and its development. This fight that we have been waging for some time is beginning to bear fruit," he said.
The actions undertaken over several years, including massive recruitment, equipping, and training of the forces, are now producing visible effects. "There is a lull. The efforts undertaken over the past three years are now bearing fruit, and we dare to hope that victory should not be far off," he added, while reassuring everyone that "the end of the tunnel is in sight."
The Minister of State nevertheless urged the soldiers to remain vigilant, disciplined, and professional, particularly in the face of new forms of threats. He warned against the use of social media, which he considers a battleground of communication. "After trying to destabilize us through direct confrontation, the enemy is now trying to do so through communication warfare via social media. With artificial intelligence, they can make you say things you never said. Be very careful, because this is to discourage us," he warned.
In the same vein, General Simpore urged the troops to focus exclusively on their core mission, even recommending they put away their Android phones and any distractions that could affect their commitment. He also warned against any attempt at manipulation aimed at destabilizing the institutions of the Republic. "Some people are harboring dark plans to satisfy selfish interests. Soldiers must under no circumstances associate themselves with these unhealthy ideas of adventurism," he insisted.
The two ministers then visited the Battalion's facilities, where they observed the presence of modern equipment adapted to current security challenges. They commended the high morale and strong determination of the personnel on site. The government delegation was accompanied by regional administrative authorities, headed by the governor of the Oubri region, Hadja Assetou Sy Barry/Traore. Before arriving at the Rapid Intervention Battalion, the Minister of State and the Minister of Security paid a courtesy visit to the chief of Ziniare, Naaba Sanem.