Burkina Faso Prime Minister’s 44/19 Speech in Nicaragua

The following is a partial transcription of the remarks made by Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem De Tambèla, at the 44th Anniversary Celebration of the Triumph of the Sandinista Popular Revolution in Managua, Nicaragua on July 19, 2023.

Address by Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélem De Tambèla, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso

Thank you very much, Madam Vice President, it is an honor for me to be here in Nicaragua and at this ceremony. You remember the visit of President Thomas Sankara here in ’86. President Daniel Ortega also went to our capital in ’86, and that remains in our memory.

When I came here, many people told me, if you meet Daniel Ortega, greet him on my behalf, so I greet him on behalf of all Burkinabes. I leave you with the greetings of my President Ibrahim Traoré and of the People of Burkina Faso. We are united, and that is why the President came to our country in ’86.

For people of my generation, there are things that unite us with Nicaragua, Augusto César Sandino, the Sandinista National Liberation Front and Commander Daniel Ortega.

We have learned to know Nicaragua. When the Liberation Struggle began, I was small, but we followed, day by day, the context of Nicaragua’s Liberation. I went in July of ’79, and when they entered Managua we were happy, people of my age celebrated that.

And then, when Thomas Sankara came to power, Daniel Ortega and the Sandinista Revolution was something happy for us; we as students studied a lot the history of Nicaragua, we followed its evolution. Also with the International Court of Justice, what was happening between Nicaragua and the United States, which supported the “Contra” of Nicaragua. On that point, Nicaragua’s struggle is also that of our people.

Nicaragua is not a large country, but the determination of its People is a Hope and an example for others, they have a great Spirit. In such a way, we have also kept that Hope, even after the assassination of our President Thomas Sankara.

Until today, many Revolutionaries have come from Burkina Faso, the only problem between us is the distance; Nicaragua is not a country that is close to ours, but despite that, distance does not count. That is why I am here, and I am here to be the living witness of the Unity between the People of Nicaragua and Burkina Faso.

And when I was coming, the President sent a letter of invitation to give to President Ortega so that he could also come to Burkina Faso. I’m not sure if he has the vigor of those years when he was fighting the Somoza Dictatorship, but I know, I am sure that he would love to arrive and honor the grave of our former President Thomas Sankara, and I do hope that he will make that visit, that he will travel to Burkina Faso, and in that way contribute to strengthening our relations.

I have heard that there is a delegation from Venezuela here too, and with the authorization of President Daniel Ortega I want to greet you. I was there last May and we shared many moments and thoughts.

I also noticed that there was a delegation from Cuba here, and I convey my greetings because we have very close relations with Cuba. President Fidel Castro has been and was a very important person for the Revolution in Africa; we have excellent memories, both of Cuba and of President Fidel Castro.

I also noticed that there is a delegation from Iran here, and I request you to let me greet the People of Iran. Likewise, for the Russian Federation, we will soon be in St. Petersburg, the delegation of Burkina Faso.

Mr. President Daniel Ortega, Madam Vice-President, the Message I wish to convey: I salute all the Youth of Nicaragua, you are the Future; I also salute that discipline you have, that Patriotism, that Nationalism, that Joy of living. Your future is here in Nicaragua, it is not anywhere else, therefore, build something here for yourselves and your children in Nicaragua, under the guidance of our Supreme Comandante, President Ortega.

Thank you very much.