By Lawrence Audu
President Faustin Archange TOUADERA of the Central African Republic has called on his countrymen to join hands to rebuild the country for rapid economic growth.
Professor Touadera made the call in a message to the nation on the occasion of its August 13th 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations.
He declared that this historic date marks the starting point for building a sovereign and democratic State.
The country which was under French colonial rule, gained independence on the 13th August, 1960.
“This historic date also marks the starting point of our responsibility, of the manifestation of our common will to build a sovereign and democratic State. August 13 gives us the opportunity to rekindle the flame of hope, of our deep hope to live in unity and dignity in a country that is finally peaceful, united and prosperous,” said President Touadera.
The accession of the Central African Republic to independence in 1960 was a long fight led by the ancestors of this country, in particular the founding father Barthélémy Boganda.
While paying glowing tributes to the nation’s founding fathers, Touadera restated his believes that it is an opportunity to demonstrate to the whole world that the Central African people know where they are coming from and where they are going.
“August 13, which we are commemorating, marks the end of so many years of suffering, subjection and bitterness, endured by our ancestors in their long and heroic conquest of freedom and self-determination. By celebrating this important symbol of our dear and beautiful country, we want to prove to the other peoples of the world that we are a people who know where they come from, a people who know where they are going, a people who know what they want. “, he added.
“Through this commemoration, we pay a just tribute to the Founding Father of the Republic, the late President Barthélemy BOGANDA, as well as to all the martyrs and heroes of the freedom of our Nation. I also like to pay tribute to all our predecessors who knew how, by their exceptional qualities and their patriotism, to keep the flame of freedom firm and to make the Central African Nation esteemed and respected. Their courage, their heroism, their patriotism and their immense sacrifices must inspire and stimulate us”, he underlined.
To the Central Africans of the interior and the diaspora, Professor Touadera, also sent his congratulations for the efforts made.
“On this memorable occasion, I would like to congratulate you, Central Africans and Central Africans, from within and from the diaspora, and express my admiration for you, for the efforts made so that national unity finally reigns in our country, living together and national reconciliation which constitute the bedrock of our national sovereignty,” he said.
High points of the commemoration was a colourful military parade by various units of the Armed Forces, the Police and other security agencies, showcasing some of the major improvement combat support platforms recorded by the administration at the Kasaï Military Camp in Bangui on Saturday, 14th August, 2022.