The 12th military ceremony to honor Thomas Sankara, the "father of the revolution," took place on October 1, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This tradition was established by the President of Faso a year ago during the 38th commemoration of Sankara's assassination. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Servants and his counterpart in charge of communication, the government spokesperson.
The Minister of Communication, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, urged public servants to be vigilant and dedicated to their work, stating that "the enemy is not asleep." He emphasized the crucial role of public administration in the country's progress, likening it to the rails of a train. "The administration is to the progressive popular revolution what the rails are to a train," he said, stressing the need for public servants to be committed and patriotic.
The ceremony coincided with the launch of the second phase of the National Days of Patriotic Engagement and Citizenship, which began on October 2, 2026. One of the notable innovations of this edition is the government exhibition organized at the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair (SIAO), which will run until October 9. Each ministry will have a dedicated stand to showcase its achievements, reforms, and innovations to the public.
The Minister of Public Servants, Mathias Traoré, echoed the call for a modern, efficient, and exemplary administration. He emphasized that public servants must be committed to serving the public interest and not be above the law. Traoré stressed that building such an administration requires a culture of integrity, punctuality, and hard work.
According to Minister Traoré, the best way to honor Sankara's memory is to uphold the values he represented. He cited the example set by President Ibrahim Traoré, who has demonstrated a commitment to good governance and patriotism. Traoré announced that his ministry would contribute 5 million CFA francs to the "My Brick for Sankara" campaign, aimed at financing a memorial complex in honor of the former president.
The "My Brick for Sankara" campaign is a community-driven initiative to raise funds for the construction of a memorial complex dedicated to Thomas Sankara. The campaign reflects the government's efforts to promote patriotism and civic engagement. By contributing to the campaign, citizens can play a part in preserving Sankara's legacy and promoting his values.
The ceremony concluded with a renewed commitment to uphold the ideals of Thomas Sankara and to work towards building a better future for Burkina Faso. The government's efforts to promote patriotism, integrity, and good governance are seen as crucial steps towards achieving this goal. The legacy of Thomas Sankara continues to inspire and guide the country's progress.
Key points
- The 12th ceremony to honor Thomas Sankara was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on October 1, 2026.
- The Minister of Communication called on public servants to be vigilant and dedicated to their work.
- The government launched the second phase of the National Days of Patriotic Engagement and Citizenship, which includes a government exhibition at the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair.
