The Délégation aux Anciens Combattants et Anciens Militaires (DACAM) organized a conference at the Université Thomas Sankara on November 9, 2026, to share the experiences of retired military officials with university students. The event, themed "Engagement, Resilience, and Patriotism: Testimonies of Former Military Officials in Service to University Youth," aimed to promote national service and patriotism among young people. Two senior officers and one general officer, all retired, shared their experiences and advice with students.
The retired military officials who spoke at the conference included Général de division Kouamé Lougué, Intendant de classe exceptionnelle Komyaba Pascal Sawadogo, and Colonel-major Salfo Raphaël Kaboré. They shared their stories and offered guidance to students, emphasizing the importance of hard work, resilience, and patriotism. Général de division Kouamé Lougué, who served in the military for nearly 42 years, stressed the need for students to invest in themselves and work towards building a better Burkina Faso.
The conference was part of an effort to promote national service and patriotism among young people in Burkina Faso. Colonel William Combary, délégué aux anciens combattants et anciens militaires, stated that the event aimed to transmit cardinal values to youth who may be searching for direction. The conference featured retired military officials who served as examples of patriotism and national service.
The event was well-received by students, who expressed their appreciation for the guidance and inspiration provided by the retired military officials. Rosine Combari, a law student, stated that the conference had encouraged her to consider a career in the military. She praised the selflessness and dedication of the retired military officials and expressed her desire to follow in their footsteps.
The conference was organized by DACAM, which is responsible for ensuring the welfare and rights of retired military officials and their families. The event was marked by a solemn ceremony, including the raising of the national flag and the planting of a tree to commemorate the occasion. The conference was seen as a way to capitalize on the expertise of retired military officials and pass it on to younger generations.
The theme of the conference, "Engagement, Resilience, and Patriotism," was chosen to reflect the values that are considered essential for national development. Colonel William Combary emphasized that the event aimed to awaken and sustain a sense of patriotism among citizens, particularly young people. He noted that this message was in line with the ideals of Captain-President Thomas Sankara and Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The conference was seen as a success, with students and retired military officials alike expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to share experiences and guidance. The event demonstrated the importance of collaboration between retired military officials and young people in promoting national service and patriotism. It also highlighted the need for young people to be inspired and guided by those who have served the nation.
Key points
- The conference aimed to promote patriotism and national service among university students in Burkina Faso.
- Retired military officials shared their experiences and guidance with students to inspire and motivate them.
- The event was organized by DACAM to capitalize on the expertise of retired military officials and pass it on to younger generations.
