🇧🇫“We are not in a democracy, we are in a revolution.”
One year on, Capt. Traoré used today’s speech to reaffirm the core principles of the revolution: order and discipline.
In his view, no meaningful social, economic, or political transformation is possible without them.
On the War: Since the beginning, many armies offered to help us fight, but we refused; we chose to carry out this fight ourselves. We thank those who offered help.
(Likely talking about turning down combat support from the Russians, and intelligence support from the US)
Today, we are succeeding, our forces are progressing on the ground, reclaiming areas that were once enemy strongholds.
We told them clearly leave BF or die, Those who stay will be crushed by our armed forces.
(This is particularly true in parts of the SW and the Soum region.)
He also outlines three qualities he believes define a revolutionary
>Love of country and people
>The pursuit of knowledge
>Resistance to oppression
The struggle begins with ideas & arguments, strengthened by knowledge, before any form of combat begins.
You must know your history, your roots, your ancestors, and realize how they interacted with the world.
A revolutionary studies the past, analyzes the present, and projects into the future.
This understanding is used to interpret global behavior and prepare for what comes next
A revolutionary stands firm against those who seek to oppress, they oppose domination, imperialism, and those who do not love their nation.
A revolutionary does not tolerate traitors.
(A call to the population)
Stay away from those who discourage you. Stay away from those who do not believe in this country.
Be wary of those who are mentally enslaved, they are often demotivated, opportunistic, and unreliable.
Take ownership of the revolution. Many have joined out of opportunism, but this is not a moment of comfort.
We are in the storm, facing strong headwinds. Those who cannot endure will fall away.
Work for your community and your compatriots.
(A warning)
These local lackeys carrying out their masters’ orders, believing they can put an end to our revolution, must understand this:
We have taken all necessary measures, and we will be ruthless toward those who try to stand in the way of our nation’s development.
(Closing)
Be proud to be part of writing the history of Burkina Faso’s revolution.
In an Africa trapped by imported democracy, we must be the flame that inspires others to take the path of revolution.
May God bless our homeland and fighting forces.
My thoughts: This speech is about ideological consolidation. Traoré is formalizing a revolutionary doctrine, which will be released soon outlining the the direction of the state going forward.
War messaging remains aggressive, focused on achieving decisive military victory against terrorists. And a strong warning against internal dissent, the goal is cohesion, which is why the core principles are order and discipline.
On security, the message is clear: Self-reliance.
Burkina Faso may acquire weapons, and accept limited training, but rejects foreign troops. Traoré's emphasis is on national mobilization and building the states own military capacity.
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