Dédougou, Burkina Faso – Citizens of Dédougou, grouped under the Patriotic Coordination of Civil Society Associations for Support of the Transition (CPASST), gathered on Saturday, January 20, 2024, to express their backing for the Transition authorities, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). The event marked the third such gathering in Dédougou, highlighting the city’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Transition process currently underway in Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, demonstrators paraded through the main streets of Dédougou, carrying flags of Burkina Faso, member countries of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), and Russia. The procession halted at key locations including the central police station and the city’s Territorial Gendarmerie Brigade. Here, participants paid homage to the FDS and VDP members who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.
At ‘Place melon gare’, representatives from various community segments, including traditional leaders, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, and the event’s coordinator, took turns honoring the efforts of the Transition for Burkina Faso’s independence. The Transition authorities were commended for their initiatives aimed at regaining territorial integrity, undertaking reforms, and promoting public participation in governance.
Fatin Thébo, the event’s coordinator, praised the Military-Political System for the Renaissance (MPSR2) for instilling hope among Burkinabè citizens. Thébo emphasized the MPSR2’s initial commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges and providing viable solutions. He acknowledged the establishment of the patriotic support fund, the adoption of the new land law, and the initiation of the gold refinery construction as significant achievements.
Thébo urged all societal groups to continue their unwavering support for the Transition authorities, FDS, and VDP. He specifically called on the youth to actively engage in supporting these entities to fully realize their mission of aiding the afflicted populations. Additionally, he encouraged women from the Boucle du Mouhoun region to contribute actively to the fight for peace, security, and social cohesion.
Furthermore, Thébo appealed to the authorities to prioritize securing and clearing access routes to various provincial capitals in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. The demonstrators also expressed their support for the national football team, the Stallions, and collected a sum of 1,094,825 CFA francs for the Patriotic Support Fund.