Ouagadougou: The Minister in charge of sports Roland Somda declared Sunday in Ouagadougou at the end of the successful 35th Tour du Faso, that ‘there is life in Burkina Faso’. “There is life in Burkina Faso. We can carry out our activities calmly and peacefully in Burkina Faso despite the black sheep who want to disturb our peace,” declared the Minister of Sports, Employment and Youth, Roland Somda, who was giving a brief assessment at the end of the 10th and final stage of the Tour du Faso on Avenue Thomas Sankara.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Somda highlighted the role of the country’s security forces in maintaining peace, expressing optimism that disruptions would soon be a thing of the past. The minister emphasized the symbolic nature of the event, which included participation from nine international teams traversing 10 of the 13 regions of Burkina Faso, conveying a message of resilience and unity.

Somda remarked on the high level of competition during the tour, noting the average speed of 3
9 to 45 km/h, which he attributed to the support from national authorities, including the presence of His Excellency Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Head of State of Burkina Faso, at the event’s final stage. He expressed gratitude to the participants and the Burkinabe public for their enthusiastic support.

The minister also acknowledged the effective security arrangements by the country’s forces, which ensured the safety of the event. Addressing the suspension of the Tour du Faso by the International Cycling Union (UCI), Somda stated that despite the absence of UCI, the tour was successfully conducted, reaffirming Burkina Faso’s capability to organize the event independently. He commended the local commissaires for their role in maintaining the tour’s continuity and expressed confidence in the future editions of the event.