OUAGADOUGOU, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore said Thursday evening that his country has made significant efforts in the fight against terrorism, carried out as part of the campaign to reclaim national territory.
Speaking in an interview with national and international media broadcast on national television, the Burkinabe head of state said that, in terms of regaining control of territory, the army has seized the initiative by launching offensive operations against armed groups.
"We can say that the initiative is now ours, and that is the most important aspect. For several years, since the beginning of this war, we were in a wait-and-see posture, allowing the enemy to dictate the pace of operations," he stressed.
According to Traore, the tactical and operational improvements of the Burkinabe army are the result of "numerous efforts in recruitment, equipment, and above all training."
He also recalled that several localities in Burkina Faso, once occupied by terrorist groups, have been retaken, enabling the return of populations and a reduction in the number of internally displaced persons in the country. ■