Ouagadougou: A large batch of equipment was handed over on Saturday to the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) by His Majesty Lio-Pio Dan-Zwe, Chief of the canton of Leo. This support ceremony, under the patronage of the Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigues Bayala, is part of the presidential initiative for the reconquest of the territory and aims to strengthen the logistical capacities of the fighters engaged in the province of Sissili.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the donation, valued at over 25 million FCFA, includes 25 off-road motorcycles, 14 communication posts, 150 bags of 25 kg rice, 80 5-liter cans of oil, 500,000 FCFA for fuel, and 2 million for the patriotic support fund. The motorcycles are intended to enhance patrol efficiency in hard-to-reach areas, improve intervention speed, and connect isolated villages. The food supplies are meant to sustain the fighters’ endurance during their missions.
In his speech, His Majesty Lio-Pio Dan-Zwe aligned his actions with the government’s general mobilization strategy. “At the call of Captain Ibrahim Traore, the people of Sissili have mobilized what they can to support the peace effort, which demonstrates their commitment to the national cause,” he stated, emphasizing his support for the Head of State. This initiative highlights the crucial role of traditional leaders in fostering social cohesion and supporting the war effort.
“We are all here out of national conscience, for our homeland, we are here to be able to support our savior Ibrahim Traore… Today, our enemies have become rabbits and the Burkinabe people have become hunters,” added Po-pe, who was present to support “his brother” Lio-Pio.
The ceremony witnessed the attendance of a diverse audience, including administrative, military, and traditional authorities. This gathering, featuring the governor of the Centre-West region, the high commissioner of Sissili, military and paramilitary authorities, and other traditional leaders like the Po-pe and the Naaba of Koudougou, embodies the government’s “whole nation is at the front” approach.
For the beneficiaries, this donation represents more than just a transfer of equipment. A fighter on the ground, speaking anonymously, remarked: “These motorcycles are like new legs for our units. In a province like Sissili, mobility is synonymous with life. Rice is the moral strength of our men. It shows that an entire people stands behind us.”
Beyond its material significance, the event sends a powerful political message of alignment between the State and traditional structures. Minister Rodrigue Edasso Bayala praised this “symbolic” gesture, noting that “the fighting forces have the population and traditional leaders behind them.” The canton chief also called for additional support, including drones for provincial surveillance.