Ouagadougou: The Delegation for Veterans and Former Military Personnel (DACAM) launched the second edition of the memorial writing workshop this Tuesday in Ouagadougou. Under the theme “Writing to Enlighten Current and Future Generations,” this initiative aims to preserve national memory through the written testimony of former military personnel and combatants.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Int-Colonel Major Ouoba emphasized the importance of this endeavor, stating that preserving national memory is a shared responsibility. He underscored that this task should be approached from a perspective of education, unity, and national resilience rather than nostalgia. “Through writing, we build an intangible heritage that weapons alone cannot defend,” he articulated.

This second edition of the memorial writing workshop serves as a platform for sharing experiences and transmitting military and patriotic stories. Ouoba highlighted that the workshop is not merely a literary activity but a space for transmitting battles, values, and experiences to inspire future generations. “You are witnesses to an era bearing stories of bravery, fraternity, pain, and above all, dedication to the nation. We are giving substance to a national history that must no longer be told without those who lived it,” he stated.

Colonel Major Ouoba expressed his aspiration that the workshop will culminate in the creation of significant literary works that will enhance the understanding of Burkina Faso’s history. “It will be more than a service to the nation, it is a duty of remembrance,” he added.

Oumarou Toe, the technical advisor to the Minister of Public Service, emphasized the importance of preserving and transmitting collective memory during the current context of the country. He noted that writing refuses to let the sacrifice of those who served the nation fade into silence. By recounting their journeys and victories, veterans do justice to their commitment and inspire future generations. “Your pen thus becomes a weapon of truth, an instrument of cohesion, and a lever for national construction,” Toe remarked.

Toe urged participants to engage genuinely in the workshop, highlighting that their involvement contributes to building a strong national memory. This memory unites generations in the shared ideal of a united, dignified, and sovereign Burkina Faso.

DACAM’s mission includes promoting the intellectual, cultural, and artistic production of veterans and former military personnel while encouraging their participation in strategic thinking on defense and security.