Burkina Faso/Recovering territory: “On the ground, we have achieved about 69% of the progress…”, General Kassoum Coulibaly

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Every year, Prime Minister Joachimson Apollinaire Kérémé de Tambéla evaluates his ministers, who are all bound by a contract of objectives. In the first half of 2024, the Minister of State, Minister of Defense and Minister of Veterans Affairs, Brigadier General Kassoum Coulibaly, participated in the exercise. As of Wednesday, August 7, 2024, 35% of the set objectives have been achieved, even though according to the declarations we should have reached 50%. However, he pointed out that these figures reflect the reality on the ground.

“We have to remember two aspects: what we planned and what we actually executed. For a very atypical and specific Ministry of Defense, when we make plans, when we execute instructions during operations, we readjust things. This is what happened in the first semester. We made revisions to what we proposed in April, May and June to make sure we were on the right track. In the military field, we choose the right targets to make sure that when we shoot, we really shoot.” These are the words of Defense Minister Kasoum Coulibaly, who was briefing the media on the status of his target contract at the beginning of his speech.

*“We make sure people are more vigilant” Kassoum Coulibaly*

Still, he said his department is working to reconcile planned actions with those implemented on the ground. This is the case with recruitment and investment. “Overall, the plan was 50%, but we find ourselves at 35%. However, these 35 reflect the reality that we are going through, because this is not a speed race. We are in a long race. Resources are a little scarce, this does not suit us, the defense, everyone is watching us, … We are there to spend money because we are expected to spend money … The most important thing is that the soldier on the front line can make sure that he is well dressed from head to toe; that he has the ability to live; that he has the ability to travel, “he clarified.

*Apollinaire Kerem, Prime Minister of Tambela*

Regarding the reconquest of the territory itself, Kasoom Coulibaly believes that efforts have already been made. “By 2022, 40% is under control. On the ground, we have evolved to around 69%… We are currently trying to reconquer the territory with a network of territories to ensure that we bring large forces. Then we try to radiate around the shuttle. We can’t be everywhere. Thank God, many people signed up to become Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP); the troops have been deployed; we insist on ensuring that we cooperate a lot in this sense. That’s why we really want to raise awareness of human rights in the VDP so that there are no stories of abuse and reprisals,” he assured.

*A team led by Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly*

Even if there is still a long way to go, the Minister of Defense’s faith in the Burkinabe people’s resolve to face this war remains intact. For him, every Burkinabe, regardless of rank or position, is a fighter for national sovereignty; a fighter for the liberation of the country’s territory.