Burkina Faso Steps Up Patriotism Drive as Traoré Government Trains 65,000 Youths

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso has intensified its campaign to promote patriotism and national unity, with President Ibrahim Traoré’s government graduating tens of thousands of young people from compulsory civic training while recently instituted  a military-style training for Burkinabe journalists.

About 65,000 young Burkinabè have reportedly completed a month-long patriotism programme designed to instil discipline, civic responsibility, national unity and knowledge of the country’s history.

The programme is part of the military-led government’s broader push to cultivate what it describes as a patriotic citizenry capable of contributing to the defence and development of Burkina Faso.

Completion of the programme has also been linked to access to higher education, with patriotism training becoming a requirement for university admission.

Addressing the young graduates this week, Traoré called on them to embrace hard work, discipline and patriotism, warning against ignorance.

“An ignorant person is a danger to our Revolution,” Traoré said.

The government’s patriotism campaign has also reached the media sector.

In early  August, 44 journalists from public and private media organisations were subjected to a six-day military-style patriotism course at the Police Academy in Pabré, about 20 kilometres from the capital, Ouagadougou. The training began on August 9 ending on 15th   and was organised under the Ministry of Security.

The journalists, both men and women, were shown wearing military fatigues and handling rifles during the training. State broadcaster RTB reported that Communication Minister Pingdwende Gilbert Ouedraogo challenged the participants to become both patriotic and professional journalists.

The government has presented the initiative within the context of Burkina Faso’s prolonged security crisis, in which the country has faced attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Since taking power in a September 2022 coup, Traoré has pursued an agenda centred on national sovereignty and reducing dependence on Western powers, which has earned him admiration across Africa.

Back in his country he is celebrated as the reincarnation of  the revolutionary,former President,Captain Thomas Sankala