Burkina Faso celebrates its 60 years of independence on Friday on the theme: “National cohesion and patriotic commitment for a sustainable development of Burkina Faso in a context of insecurity and Covid-19”.
In his address to the country, President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré said “This is a collective challenge for a Burkina Faso resolutely turned towards the sacred union of its daughters and sons, to face current challenges and ensure our country’s security, health and economic and social development.
“The achievement of such ambitions, for which I am committed with you, necessarily requires a change in mentality and behaviour,” he said.
“The commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence is an excellent opportunity to salute the memory of the founding fathers of the nation and pay a vibrant tribute to the people for their resilience and commitment to the Fatherland, social cohesion and shared development.
“The culture of tolerance and living together, civic-mindedness, patriotism, inclusive dialogue, taking into account our positive cultural values, the foundations of peace and cohesion, will be the key to our success,” he said.
President Kabore stressed that in this regard, “we must recognise that major challenges remain to be met if we want to be in line with the legitimate need for peace, security and harmonious development of Burkina Faso”.
He therefore asked the government and the people to assume their share of responsibility to make social cohesion and patriotism concrete realities at the political, administrative, economic and social levels.
“No nation can prosper in disorder, incivility, corruption, denial of the Fatherland, so many scourges that undermine social cohesion and efforts for a better collective welfare,” he added.
