Ouagadougou: The President of Burkina Faso's message on the AES (Academic and Social Action) was at the heart of the flag-raising ceremony. The traditional monthly ceremony for raising the national flag took place on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Koubri police station, presided over by the President of the Special Delegation (PDS), Samad© L©onard Gougou. The event brought together various constituted bodies, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), decentralized state services, traditional and religious authorities, as well as key figures from the community.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony, established to occur on the first Monday of each month and rotate among public services, aims to promote civic-mindedness, patriotism, and attachment to the symbols of the Nation. It also provides a forum for the various components of the community to come together around the ideals of unity, solidarity, and civic responsibility. Following the raising of the colours, the president of the Special Delegation read the message from the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, delivered on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
In his address, the Head of State praised the progress made by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger since the creation of the Confederation, which he presented as the expression of the common will of the three States to build a space based on sovereignty, solidarity, and the defense of the interests of their peoples. The message recalled that the ESA was born from the determination of the three countries to fully assume their political, economic, and security sovereignty. Despite a context marked by numerous challenges, including security threats and attempts at destabilization, significant progress has been made in several areas, including defense cooperation, the free movement of people and goods, diplomacy, the integration of peoples, and the strengthening of economic exchanges.
The President of Burkina Faso also paid a heartfelt tribute to the Defense and Security Forces, the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and the people of the three countries, commending their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to the fight against terrorism. He further urged the citizens of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to remain united, vigilant, and deeply committed to the ideals of sovereignty and patriotism, in order to consolidate the achievements of the Confederation.
The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the commitment of the municipal authorities to support actions aimed at strengthening civic values, social cohesion, and patriotic spirit, in line with the vision of the highest authorities of the Confederation of Sahel States.