Sissili: The constituted bodies observe the tradition of raising the colors at Leo's SOFITEX. The High Commissioner of Sissili Province, Tewende Isaac Sia, presided over the monthly flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the SOFITEX factory in Leo. This event, which mobilized the community's leading figures, aims to strengthen patriotic sentiment and social cohesion.
According to Burkina Information Agency, around 7:30 a.m., administrative, military, and paramilitary authorities, along with representatives from the private sector, gathered to sing the national anthem, the Ditany¨, in unison. This republican ritual, hosted this month by the factory of the Burkina Faso Textile Fiber Company (SOFITEX), served as a reminder of the importance of civic responsibility during these times of national challenges.
Boniface Sawadogo, the plant manager of SOFITEX in Leo, expressed his gratitude to the authorities for choosing his company. He took the opportunity to highlight the impact of the plant, which has been located in Leo since 2008. "It is an honor to welcome the provincial authorities. Our plant has a ginning capacity of 250 tons of seed cotton per day. To date, we have already ginned 18,000 tons of cotton for the current season," he stated.
Mr. Sawadogo also emphasized the crucial social role of the organization, which employs over 600 people, including permanent, seasonal, and temporary staff, and stimulates an entire value chain encompassing transporters, producers, and healthcare providers. "SOFITEX remains the second largest employer in the country after the government," he noted.
Speaking at the event, the High Commissioner of Sissili, Tewende Isaac Sia, expressed his delight at the strong turnout of the various institutions. For him, this act went beyond mere symbolism: it was a celebration of national sovereignty.
'Seeing all the components of our society gathered here testifies to the importance we attach to this civic act. By participating in the raising of the colors, everyone commits to supporting the initiatives of His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traore,' said the province's top official.
The High Commissioner commended the management of SOFITEX in Leo, emphasizing the cohesion and solidarity within the industrial unit. He concluded his remarks by urging the local population to work tirelessly for the development of the province, before closing the ceremony with the traditional rallying cry: "Homeland or death, we will prevail."
An appointment has been made for the first Tuesday of May 2026 at the provincial tax office of Sissili for the next flag-raising ceremony.