OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — The Popular Alliance for Patriotic Engagement (APEP) has initiated youth mobilization campaigns in Ouagadougou, urging those attempting to destabilize Burkina Faso's transitional government to cease their efforts. This movement is seen as a response to the recent political turbulence in the country.

According to the Burkina Information Agency, El Hadj Sayouba Traoré, the president of APEP, during an awareness campaign, emphasized the futility of any projects aimed at disrupting the current transitional phase. Addressing the youth in Sakoula, a suburb of Ouagadougou, Traoré called for mobilization against any such attempts. He highlighted the importance of the youth's role in ensuring the success of the transition, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, and reiterated APEP's commitment to peace in Burkina Faso.

APEP also appealed for greater contributions to patriotic support funds and the intensification of citizen monitoring. The association encouraged young people, who have been organizing vigils in various towns and villages across the country, to extend their efforts beyond the usual intersections. Ousmane Sané, a septuagenarian and spokesperson for APEP, stated that citizen monitoring should begin within families and neighborhoods, eventually encompassing the entire city.

Kombi Naaba, a representative of the traditional chief of Sakoula, expressed that the current focus should be on mobilization to reclaim the country's territory rather than on politics. He emphasized the need for unity and a collective effort to combat terrorism in Burkina Faso.

APEP, an active Burkinabè civil society organization supportive of the Transition, officially commenced its activities on January 3, 2023. It was established to back the initiatives of President Ibrahim Traoré and his government.

This call for youth mobilization and unity follows the government's announcement on January 18 that it had thwarted a coup attempt involving foreign forces.