SOLENZO – In a show of solidarity and support for Burkina Faso’s defense and security forces, as well as the leaders of the ongoing transition, several thousand people took to the streets of Solenzo this Sunday morning. The march was observed and reported on by the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB) on site.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the procession began around 10 a.m. from primary school A in Solenzo, moving past the Medical Center and concluding in front of the prefecture. At this final location, the marchers presented a message addressed to President Ibrahim Traoré. The message was read aloud by Adama Arma, a spokesperson for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and subsequently handed to the provincial High Commissioner.
Throughout their march, participants sang the national anthem and displayed signs with messages such as ‘Long live IB, long live the transition’ and ‘Long live the army, long live the VDP’. The demonstrators also advocated for infrastructural improvements, including the asphalting of the main service road to Solenzo and the establishment of a referral hospital in the area.
The demonstration was organized to mark the first anniversary of Solenzo’s liberation from terrorist control. It also provided an opportunity for the community to express their requests and concerns to the authorities. Among the demands outlined in the letter were the asphalting of the Koundougou-Solenzo-Dédougou road, the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the electrification of the city and the Banwa province, and the construction of a reference hospital for the community’s benefit.
In a gesture of fraternity and peace promotion, a friendly football match was held at 4 p.m., featuring teams from the fighting forces and local residents. The event aimed to foster bonds between the residents and the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP).
In a display of solidarity with the fighting forces, the march organizers collected donations including 730,000 CFA francs, 5 bags of rice, 2 bags of peanuts, and flour to support the territorial reconquest efforts. A septuagenarian among the marchers highlighted the importance of supporting the soldiers who fight for the nation.
Mariam Bagaya, another participant, explained that their decision to carry weaving materials during the march was to honor their customs and to spiritually support President Traoré and the soldiers in their ongoing battle against the enemy.
The march also commemorated the visit of Captain Ibrahim Traoré to Solenzo on the same date last year. At that time, Solenzo had recently been liberated from terrorist control, and Captain Traoré had chosen the town to deliver his New Year address for 2023.