. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article from Le Faso (translation by CPNN)

The 5th edition of the “Ambassadors of Peace Awards” (APA), an event aimed at recognizing individuals and organizations working to promote peace, patriotism, and social cohesion in Burkina Faso, will be held on August 1, 2025, in Ouagadougou, under the theme: “5 Years of the APA: What’s the Record?” For this edition, in addition to the awards ceremony, activities aimed at supporting national initiatives are planned.

This was announced by the leaders of the Movement for the Culture of Peace and Love of the Fatherland (MPAP), sponsor of the APA, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Ouagadougou, during a press conference dedicated to the event.

The SIAO’s “Soleil Levant” pavilion has been selected for the awards ceremony, on August 1, 2025, starting at 8 p.m. The event will also be broadcast live on Burkina Faso’s national television.

This edition will therefore provide an opportunity to take stock of the APA’s five years of existence, through an assessment of the actions undertaken, the successes achieved, and the challenges to be addressed to improve future editions. It will also, the speakers continued, reaffirm the commitment to working for a peaceful future, a future where love of country and respect for civic values will always guide actions.

For this fifth edition, organizers have planned several activities spread over several days. Starting on July 31st, a panel will be held to review past editions and explore future prospects. “It will also be a time for exchanges between stakeholders involved in peacebuilding, to share their experiences, and analyze the impact of the various themes addressed in previous editions. This event will be a moment of celebration, but also of collective reflection, as it will allow us to lay the foundations for a shared vision for peace and sustainable development in our country,” reads the opening statement read by the president of the organizing committee, Paul-Marie Zoma, who is also vice-president of the MPAP.

The panel will also bring together institutional stakeholders, winners from previous editions, peace specialists, technical partners, and others. The evening will feature the presentation of trophies and certificates. It will also serve as a framework for launching a call for contributions to create a fundraising campaign for the “Faso Mêbo” presidential initiative.

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The new military governments in Africa: Are they promoting a culture of peace?

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“For participation in the Gala, a contribution of 25,000 FCFA per person or 250,000 FCFA for a full table of 10 is requested. An evening for partners and peace ambassadors will be held on August 2nd, starting at 6 p.m. Prior to all these activities, the MPAP plans to visit the headquarters of the Faso Mêbo Presidential Initiative to salute and encourage all those involved in the success and completion of this initiative,” the speakers explained, adding that the partners will also welcome the participation of the winners of all the APA awards.

The awards are organized into trophy categories. The “Grand APA” (Grand APA) recognizes an individual or legal entity who has invested in promoting peace, social cohesion, and community life, and who has had a significant impact on their community through peacebuilding, community building, and social initiatives (e.g., caring for vulnerable people). The second category is the “APA for Patriotism,” which recognizes an individual or legal entity who, through their daily actions, demonstrates a commitment to their country, demonstrated by a desire to defend and promote it through actions in this regard.

The “APA for Leadership” recognizes an individual or legal entity who has a positive influence on their community. The “APA for Commitment to Social Cohesion and Community Life” recognizes an individual or legal entity who is committed to promoting social cohesion and community life through concrete actions and initiatives in their community.

The “APA for Integration,” which recognizes an individual or legal entity, an expatriate residing in Burkina Faso and carrying out actions and activities promoting peace, social cohesion, and harmonious coexistence. This individual is well integrated and contributes to development efforts in their host country, Burkina Faso. They also promote political and socio-cultural integration initiatives.

The “APA of the AES,” which recognizes an individual or legal entity from the AES region (Mali-Burkina-Niger) who is committed to promoting peace, social cohesion, and harmonious cohesion, and who promotes the principles and values on which the AES (Alliance of Sahel States) is founded.

The “APA of Honor,” which recognizes an individual or legal entity who is committed to promoting peace, social cohesion, and harmonious cohesion, and who supports the actions of the MPAP.

In addition to these distinctions, certificates of recognition will be presented to stakeholders and institutions to recognize their ongoing commitment and support for peace-promoting efforts in Burkina Faso, they announced.

The 5th edition of the Ambassadors of Peace Awards is under the patronage of His Majesty Bifaté II, head of the canton of Gaoua and the co-sponsorship of the President and CEO of Sofao Groupe SARL, Hamadé Ouédraogo, also President of the Regional Council of Employers of the Center; of the President and CEO of the Fortuna group, Roch Donation Nagalo, 5th Vice-President in charge of professional and umbrella organizations of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso (CCI-BF) and of the President and CEO of Socodifa International, Abdoul Fatao Ouédraogo.

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. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article from Journal du Niger (translation by CPNN)

In the vibrant amphitheater of the Maison des Jeunes et de la Culture in Agadez, a major initiative was launched on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Under the chairmanship of Major General Ibra Boulama Issa, Governor of the region, a strategic workshop on the role of traditional leaders in promoting peace, security, and social cohesion was launched with a flourish. Bringing together traditional leaders, prefects, municipal administrators, and prominent figures such as the Sultan of Aïr, His Highness Oumarou Ibrahim Oumarou, this meeting marked a turning point in the mobilization of traditional authorities to build a more united and resilient Niger.

Agadez: Traditional Chiefs, Pillars of Peace and Stability in Niger

Before an audience of dignitaries, including the President of the Regional Office of the Association of Traditional Chiefs of Niger, General Boulama Issa set the tone for a day marked by collective commitment. Indeed, this workshop, initiated by the governorate, aims to equip the traditional chiefs of Agadez with the tools they need to play a central role in fostering a culture of peace, strengthening security, social cohesion, and non-violent conflict management. In a region facing complex challenges—insecurity, community tensions, and illicit activities such as gold mining—this training embodies a bold ambition: to make traditional leaders key players in the rebuilding of the Republic.

Moreover, the governor, in a speech imbued with conviction, emphasized the importance of these traditional figures in the fabric of Niger’s society. “You are the guardians of our values, the relays of our communities. “Your role is essential in promoting peace and supporting the authorities’ efforts in a context where cohesion is our greatest strength,” he said, according to participants. This vision places traditional leaders at the heart of a strategy aimed at anchoring local governance in the region’s cultural and social realities.

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Can a culture of peace be achieved in Africa through local indigenous training and participation?

The new military governments in Africa: Are they promoting a culture of peace?

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Strategic Training: When Ancestral Wisdom Meets Modern Challenges

The workshop, designed as a space for exchange and training, addressed crucial themes. Participants explored strategies to prevent intercommunity conflicts, encourage collaboration with the Defense and Security Forces, and promote dialogue as an alternative to violence. In a region like Agadez, a strategic crossroads in the Sahel, where tensions related to migration, banditry, and armed groups remain prevalent, these skills are vital.

The presence of the Sultan of Aïr, a respected figure and symbol of traditional authority, lent particular legitimacy to the event. Alongside departmental prefects and municipal delegated administrators, he embodied the union between tradition and modernity, an essential balance for meeting contemporary challenges. The discussions also highlighted the role of traditional leaders in intelligence gathering and community outreach, strengthening their position as a bridge between citizens and institutions.

Agadez: A Regional Response to Security and Cohesion Challenges

This workshop is part of a series of initiatives undertaken by the governorate to consolidate stability in Agadez. Following the meeting in Injitan on July 9, where General Boulama Issa engaged with the Ihagaran community on similar issues, this training broadens the scope of regional engagement. By equipping traditional leaders with new skills, the authorities aim to create a network of leaders capable of defusing tensions and promoting harmonious coexistence in a context marked by security and social challenges. Participants also addressed practical issues, such as limited access to communications networks in some rural areas, which hinders coordinated peace efforts. In response, the governor promised to explore solutions to strengthen digital infrastructure, which is essential for security and development.

Niger’s Future: A Country United by Traditional Wisdom and Modern Commitment

In short, the Agadez workshop resonates as a call to unity and action. By placing traditional leaders at the heart of national reconstruction, General Boulama Issa and his team are sending a powerful message: peace and social cohesion are everyone’s business. In a region where tradition is a driving force, this event marks a decisive step in transforming challenges into opportunities.

The echoes of the MJC now resonate throughout Agadez. Newly equipped, traditional leaders are preparing to become the architects of a more peaceful Niger. With the support of the Sultan of Aïr and regional authorities, they also embody the hope of a society where ancestral wisdom and modern commitment converge to build a stable and prosperous future.

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. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION .

An article by Romuald Dofini in Lefaso.net

The Peulh community of Bobo-Dioulasso organized a day to promote culture, peace and social cohesion in Burkina Faso on Sunday, December 22, 2024 in the city of Sya. The theme of this day was: “For good living together in Faso: Traditional and religious leaders from Western Burkina speak to their communities”. During this day, which brought together several social groups, commitments and resolutions were made by the actors to promote social cohesion by giving priority to dialogue in conflict resolution.

Traditional and religious leaders commit to promoting peace and social cohesion

It was with an open heart that traditional and religious leaders spoke to their communities on Sunday, December 22, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso. According to them, it was more than necessary to organize this day in view of the situation that the country has been going through for several years. Indeed, the security situation in Burkina Faso has led to dysfunction at all levels, causing in certain areas a disintegration of all segments of the social fabric.

For traditional and religious leaders, this security crisis has also generated conflicts within the populations and led to mistrust between individuals and between communities. For them, the fight led by the defense and security forces against terrorists is commendable, but they believe that for lasting peace, it would be necessary to “re-sew” the social fabric, in order to improve social cohesion, prevent and manage disputes between communities. For this, the establishment and promotion of spaces for dialogue have proven necessary. It is therefore aware of this erosion of the social fabric caused by the security crisis and the role of customary and religious leaders in social mobilization that the Peulh customary chiefdom of Bobo-Dioulasso initiated this day to promote the culture of peace and social cohesion.

The objective of this day was to promote social cohesion in Burkina and particularly in the Grand-Ouest of Burkina. This activity brought together about sixty traditional and religious leaders from the Grand-Ouest of Burkina, citizen watch organizations, women’s organizations as well as the population of Sya, the majority of whom are Peulhs. According to the Peulh chief of Bobo-Dioulasso, Issiaka Sidibé, this day aims to recreate harmony and symbiosis between communities, to invite populations to talk to each other, to accept each other, to forgive each other and to create the conditions for the return of peace in the region and in Burkina Faso.

“It was a duty for us to organize this day because we really want to help the authorities finish their mission to reconquer the territory. We see that they have done a lot, which is why we want to make our contribution through actions. We want to tell our FDS [Force for Defense and Security] and VDP [Volunteers for Defense of the Homemand] that we are with them in heart because it is thanks to them that we live here. This meeting with the customary and religious leaders of the Grand-Ouest is to help ourselves first,” he explained.

During this activity, the traditional and religious leaders were informed about their roles in social mobilization and conflict resolution within their communities; commitments were also made by actors to promote social cohesion, by favoring dialogue in conflict resolution. From the delegation of women, the message conveyed to the community was the same. All the delegations promoted understanding, forgiveness, peace and social cohesion. Furthermore, a message of awareness, support and collaboration between the FDS and the population was conveyed for greater efficiency in the fight against terrorism.

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The new military governments in Africa: Are they promoting a culture of peace?

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The strong mobilization of all actors leaves the Fulani leader of Bobo-Dioulasso with a feeling of joy and satisfaction. According to him, this mobilization demonstrates their commitment to the culture of peace and cohesion in Burkina Faso. “We are happy and satisfied because the message has been received and all the communities have understood it,” he rejoiced.

Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo, Commander of the Second Military Region of Burkina, welcomes the initiative of the activity

The initiative is welcomed by the military and administrative authorities

The day was attended by Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo, Commander of the Second Military Region of Burkina. In his speech, he did not fail to welcome the initiative of the activity. He believes that the population is finishing the work of the defense and security forces because for him, this war is almost over. “Beyond the room which is full, all the communities, all the points of view, came to give a message and that makes us happy. We are committed to serving the population, to serving Burkina Faso; so as long as this population does not have peace, does not have tranquility, it is our duty not to sleep. And we are not going to sleep until it is over,” he insisted.

Before continuing: “If religious and customary leaders speak to their communities and everyone in their family listens to the big brother or the elder, who listens to the chief and who knows his place, we will end this crisis right away and now. The problem is that we no longer respect the elder. We respect money or the one who has money more than the elder in the family and that must change.” This is why he asked everyone to be sincere, honest and upright and above all to love their neighbor. Battalion Chief Lassané Porgo affirmed that if all the messages passed in the room are sincere, Burkina Faso will soon end this security crisis.

This activity was chaired by the governor of the region, represented by the secretary general of the Hauts-Bassins region, Abraham Somdo. On behalf of the governor, he also welcomed the initiative of this day. “This activity is welcome because it is in line with the government’s priorities. Obviously, the priority that is worth it is the reconquest of the national territory, but in addition to reconquering the territory, we must have activities that allow us to sew the social fabric that has been torn apart by war and conflicts,” he said.

He did not fail to pay tribute to the fighters who watch over the well-being of the civilian population. For him, this day will help strengthen collaboration between the FDS and the population. He stressed that “the FDS create the conditions for the return of peace and it is up to the customary and religious leaders to work to consolidate this peace, to strengthen social cohesion through messages that advocate living together.” The governor’s representative invited the daughters and sons of the region to listen to the community leaders. To these community leaders, he asks them to march resolutely to the rhythm set by the country’s authorities because it is, he said, about building a strong nation, a nation where the daughters and sons speak with one voice, look in the same direction.
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