The president of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore, criticized "imperialists" for attempting to keep the nation "in slavery."
He addressed the nation on Wednesday, on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the country's independence.
"We are victims of our wealth, the wealth that imperialists want to seize at all costs, aiming to keep us in slavery. We will secure it," he declared from the Barsalogho town hall.
Traore added that to achieve their goals, the state would work on building a strong army and equipping it properly. He also mentioned that all groups had been instructed to actively resume operations.
"We are a proud, fighting, warrior, and dignified people. And we will continue in this direction. All those who dream of seeing Burkina Faso on its knees, hoping to bring us back to slavery, must understand that they have failed," affirmed the president.
In October, President Traore reassured the nation that recent attempts to destabilize the country have only reinforced the determination of the armed forces. Addressing concerns on RTB radio, he discussed the foiled destabilization plot, which was uncovered in late September. He assured the public that those behind the plot would be held accountable and expressed full confidence in the military's steadfast commitment to defending the nation.