OUAGADOUGOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso set up a patriotic support fund as part of the fight against terrorism in the troubled country, said a government report Thursday.
Issued following the council of ministers held Wednesday evening, the statement said the Fund, which will involve 100 billion CFA francs (about 164 million U.S. dollars), is meant to support the actions of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Motherland, the military auxiliaries in the country. Burkina Faso is faced with a spate of terrorist attacks since 2015.
"The establishment of this Fund should assist in achieving the first two tasks assigned to the Transition by the Charter signed on Oct. 14, 2022, especially, restore and strengthen security throughout the country and provide an urgent, efficient and effective response to the humanitarian crisis," read the statement.
Finance Minister Aboubakar Nacanabo said the Fund will be supplied by a levy on drinks, tobacco, telecommunications and gambling activities. He ensured that contributions from public and private workers remain voluntary, for lack of consensus with trade unions.
The government spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said all members of the government decided unanimously to provide a 5 percent contribution of their monthly salaries. ■