OUAGADOUGOU, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traore on Wednesday called on citizens to further commit themselves to building a "truly free, independent and sovereign" country as the West African nation marked the 66th anniversary of its independence.
In a message to the nation, Traore paid tribute to the country's founding generation and members of the armed forces.
He said the aspirations that accompanied Burkina Faso's independence had been undermined by "persistent maneuvers of domination and predation," which he said had kept many people in poverty and insecurity.
Traore also honored historical figures who, he said, resisted neocolonialism and made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the nation.
Referring to the country's security situation, he praised the determination of the defense and security forces engaged in efforts to regain control of the national territory and safeguard the country's sovereignty.
Traore urged all Burkinabe to embrace the ideals of the Progressive Popular Revolution, describing them as a guide for achieving endogenous development and genuine independence in the pursuit of a strong and prosperous nation. ■