Bam: The governor of the Koulse region, Colonel-Major Zoewendmanego Blaise Ouedraogo, issued a stern warning to students in Kongoussi after their refusal to participate in a national flag-raising ceremony. On Friday morning, he addressed about thirty students from the municipal high school who had declined, last month, to partake in the ceremonial event.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Colonel-Major Ouedraogo presided over the flag-raising ceremony at the Kongoussi municipal high school on January 9, 2026. He addressed the incident from December 1, 2025, where approximately thirty students refused to engage in the national ceremony. As a consequence, these students were assigned community service by the municipal police and attended an awareness session focused on patriotic values.

In his address, the governor emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). He urged the students to reflect on the personal losses within their community and the significance of the national flag, which some have given their lives to defend.

Colonel-Major Ouedraogo declared that such acts of refusal are intolerable and pose a threat to both the students and Burkina Faso, which is undergoing a progressive popular revolution. He expressed his hope that this behavior would not be repeated in the future.

Additionally, the governor addressed issues of persistent delays following the flag-raising ceremony and demanded an end to them. After the ceremony, he met with the students of the 10th grade A4 class, who were involved in the incident, and encouraged both the teaching staff and exemplary students to continue their dedication to their work with Burkina Faso as their guiding principle.

The governor also acknowledged the request for forgiveness made by the students involved in the incident.