APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) – The head of the junta has spoken out after a wave of accusations that have sparked indignation and condemnation.
On Monday, Captain Ibrahim Traoré announced that the transition was entering “a new turning point” in which “there is no longer any question of allowing bad behaviour to prevail.”
He added: “Individual freedoms do not take precedence over those of the nation. A nation cannot be built on indiscipline and disorder”.
Captain Traore’s statement comes a day after a wave of demands from civil society critical of his management of public affairs.
At least three civil society leaders and two journalists have been asked to go to the front for a period of three months.
Trade unions and human rights organisations have denounced this as an “arbitrary” measure aimed at silencing dissenting voices and muzzling the press.
“Anyone with suggestions can send them to my office. We need all ideas and all intelligence,” replied Captain Traoré.
He admitted that Burkina was ”not doing well enough but terrorism has been imposed on our generation… and it is because we are capable of it. It is our duty to fight to leave a better country for future generations.”
This is not the first time that civilians have been conscripted and sent to the war front against armed insurgent groups, especially after the adoption of the General Mobilisation and Alert.
Dr Arouna Louré, an anesthetist and resuscitator, a member of civil society and a strong critic of Captain Traoré, was taken to the front for a month in October. His stay there was extended for another month.
DS/ac/lb/as/APA