Ouagadougou:Fifty-six military and defense personnel were decorated during a ceremony in Ouagadougou, marking the 66th anniversary of the National Armed Forces of Burkina Faso. The event, held under the theme "National Armed Forces and Military Reserve for a Sovereign Defense of the Homeland," recognized the contributions of various personnel across six categories of honors.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the decorations included 8 military honor medals, 24 military medals, 5 combatant's crosses, 8 firefighters' honor medals, including one for a civilian, 4 commemorative medals, and 4 honor medals for Volunteering for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP).

During the ceremony, Major General Célestin Simporé, Minister of State, Minister of War and Patriotic Defence, acknowledged the dedication and sacrifice of soldiers over the past 66 years in defending the nation's territorial integrity and protecting the homeland. Despite ongoing security challenges, he emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on adversaries.

Minister Simporé encouraged all Burkinabè to prepare for contributing to collective security, highlighting that serving the homeland isn't limited to bearing arms but includes readiness to assist as needed. He also lauded the strong response to the military reserve registration, with over 86,000 citizens signing up within a month, aiming for 100,000 reservists.

He clarified that the military reserve aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the national armed forces by providing a strategic, organized, and mobilizable force without turning every citizen into a soldier. This initiative offers eligible individuals a framework to contribute their skills to collective security.

Recipient Battalion Commander Élie Kabré expressed that the honor signifies trust and a call for greater dedication. "We take this distinction not as an end in itself, but above all as an invitation to continue to serve our country with more determination, professionalism, and loyalty," he stated.