Well, the military forces have become loose canons. Can you imagine a fire
service personnel torturing and brutalizine people? I always thought their
job was to save lives in the even of a fire. This goes to show you that we
have an Idi Amin like situation on our hands, and these people are getting to
he point whare they are utilizing anyone in a uniform of any sort, and
turning them into oppressive and murderous forces. Those being used to
oppress, kill and torture their compatriots need to remember that there is
always a tomorrow, and they need to think of whatthat tomorrow will be like
for them hen they will have to answer for being a party to these atorcities.

Jabou Joh

In a message dated 7/19/2001 2:04:10 PM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> My message to our security forces is that they should remember that we are
> one with them and that they "thus consitute" as the late Captain Thomas said
> of the Burkinabe(Upper Volta) Armed Forces,"simply a detachment that is more
> specialised than the rest of the population with regard to the defense of
> ....internal and external security.Similarly even though the health of the
> voltaic people is the business of the people as a whole and of each Voltaic
> individually,there exists and will continue to exist a more specialised
> medical corps that will devote more time to the question of public
> health".In essence,Sankarah is alluding to the fact that security like
> health is a collective reponsibility of all and that without the
> co-operation and support from the public,the security forces by themselves
> cannot bring about genuine national security.Therefore,national security
> will never be enhanced through brutal and inhumane tactics from the security
> forces.Members of our security forces should always in their interaction
> with members of the public be guided by the fact that they are employed to
> serve for the public good in accordance with the principles of justice and
> respect for fundamental human rights.After all,they are paid from taxpayers
> funds and not from the wealth of any individual,entity or interest group and
> are therefore obliged to serve the collective
> public interest.As Sankarah said,"gone are" (should be,mine)" the days when
> our national army acted like a corps of foreign mercenaries in conquered
> territory".Our security forces should " have no place for  any person who
> looks down on,and brutalises the people"(Sankarah,Oct. 2,1983).
> My final message is to those guilty of perpetrating and condoning crimes
> against their civilian folk, that we are taking notes of their atrocities
> and will bring them to account at the most opportune time which is nigh.They
> will be accorded a fair trial very soon and sentenced for their inexcusable
> crimes against humanity.
>
> We must shatter the yoke of oppression!
>
> BMK
>

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