The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim TRAORE, chaired this Friday the launch of the commemorative activities of the International Youth Day under the theme: “Integration, security, peace and development: role of African youth”. During the meeting, the Head of State shared his vision on the future of Africa with young people from the 13 regions of Burkina Faso and the 54 countries of Africa.
In front of the young people of Burkina Faso and all of Africa, the President of Faso gave a speech to raise awareness aimed at inviting them to become more involved in the struggle for real independence for our countries and Africa.
“Youth is the time when we have no time. We must take advantage of the time we are given and use the energy needed to positively change the world,” said Captain Ibrahim TRAORE.
The Head of State called on young people to banish cowardice, treachery and incompetence. He demonstrated how imperialism exploits these three vices to enslave African leaders in order to exploit the wealth of their country. “A coward is always afraid. And when you are afraid, you become a slave. Our ancestors were not cowards (…) We are not afraid and we will never be afraid,” said the President of Faso.
According to Captain Ibrahim TRAORE, cowardice leads to treason and we must banish it from our habits. “Africans were traitors so that the slave trade could succeed. It is because Africans were traitors that colonization was able to hold in Africa,” hammered the Head of State who illustrated his remarks with examples linked to historical facts. He cited the cases of Patrice LUMUMBA in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Victor Biaka BODA in Ivory Coast, both victims of treason in their fight against imperialism.
“The incompetent have a lot of room alongside imperialism. They can weigh down the development of a country, make you doubt yourselves,” stressed President TRAORE on the subject of this third vice. Also, he called on young people to always cultivate themselves and to thirst for knowledge: “Let us seek knowledge; youth is the time during which we must use our time wisely,” he recalled before urging young people to cultivate discernment in the consumption of information emanating from certain media, particularly those in the service of imperialism.
Recalling the strong link between integration, security and development, the President of Faso deplored the lack of solidarity of the African Union towards countries at war such as Ethiopia, Congo, Sudan and the Sahel countries, victims of international terrorism. “The Union is not just a word, but a symbol. We young people must learn from this situation to unite and make integration a reality,” Captain Ibrahim TRAORE told African youth.
For young people, the President of Faso is a leader who inspires through his exemplary nature and patriotism; he is a bearer of real hope for the current generation. Speaking on behalf of all the young people of Burkina Faso and Africa, the President of the Pan-African Youth Union, also President of the National Youth Council, Moumouni DIALLA called on young people to unite, show solidarity and to walk with the President of Faso for the total liberation of the African continent. In the same vein, the Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, Roland SOMDA indicated that young people are the architects of unity and cooperation between nations, while inviting them to work together for a free and strong Africa.
Communications Department of the Presidency of Faso