Colonel-Major Pierre Ouédraogo on Thursday called on the Burkinabè to be inspired by “the courage” of African riflemen to defend Burkina Faso against the terrorists who have been fighting it for eight years.

“We are taking advantage of this celebration to launch an appeal to the Burkinabè. So that they are inspired by the model of our veterans and that together we unite to defend our country,” indicated the colonel-major, delegate for veterans and ex-soldiers, Pierre Ouédraogo.

He spoke Thursday in Ouagadougou, during the commemoration of the day of the African rifleman.

On the occasion, a wreath was laid at the war memorial at Place de Nation.

“This is not someone else’s country. It is a country that we have received as an inheritance. And we must defend our heritage,” added Mr. Ouédraogo

For him, the Burkinabè must be inspired by the courage of “our veterans”, especially those who fought alongside France against the Nazis.

“A country they didn’t know but they gave of themselves. They paid the price of blood so that this Nation could have democracy and freedom,” he concluded.

As a reminder, Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, announced in April 2023 the general mobilization against terrorists who have been attacking Burkina Faso for eight years.

The Minister of State, Minister of Defense and Veterans, Colonel-Major Kassoum Coulibaly expressed his satisfaction at the end of the ceremony.

“It’s always a pleasure to meet up with the oldest ones. We pray for you. We ask you in return to bless us so that the country can move forward,” he said.

Source: Burkina Information Agency