Fighting terrorism: “Burkina will soon defeat terrorism if young people adopt tolerance as their hobby”, Africa Initiative

In Bobo-Dioulasso, speakers discussed the different strategies implemented by Burkina Faso to fight terrorism. More than 200 people attended the conference, which was held on the theme “Youth, education and the fight against terrorism in Burkina Faso”. Soumaila Ayo Azewo, president of the Russian-Burkina Faso Association, is convinced that the depletion of terrorist resources is one of the solutions to the problems that have plagued Burkina Faso for years. “Our goal is to exhaust their human resources. The government has managed to contain the terrorist threat through excellent armed work,” he said.

Soumaila Azewo recalled that through this conference, the African Initiative hopes to “raise awareness among young people in Burkina Faso about the methods of terrorist recruitment in order to change the mentality”.

Three sub-themes were presented by speakers during this session. The first sub-theme, “Investing in youth education”, was presented by Evariste Loyara, teacher and general coordinator of the Action for Positive Behavior Change in Burkina Faso. As part of the fight against terrorism, the speaker considered it important to improve young people’s access to education and develop educational programs focused on tolerance and respect. He also insisted that we must “encourage young people to participate in positive extracurricular activities”.

The second sub-theme, presented by Lacina Sanou, representing the Traditional Chiefdom of Bobo-Dioulasso, focused on “promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue” in the fight against terrorism. Lacina Sanou explained that we must guarantee quality education for young people and support intercultural and religious tolerance. Moreover, he believes that if young people make tolerance their hobby, Burkina Faso will soon defeat terrorism.

The third sub-theme, “Empowering young people to prevent radicalization”, was proposed by Nestor Podassé of the Patriotic Youth Planet. In a direct way, he proposed “investing in income-generating activities to empower young people”. For him, this would allow young people to resist the proposals of terrorists.

Collaborator Jeanne Burke thanked civil society actors and the authorities for their involvement in finding solutions to terrorism. “This topic is current and we are grateful for the involvement of the authorities. This demonstrates the determination of Russia and Burkina Faso to jointly fight this scourge that plagues Burkina Faso.”

As a prelude to this conference, Africa Initiatives organized two first aid workshops at the Kubavoe University campus and at the National Gendarmerie Non-commissioned Officers Qualification Centre (CNQSOG) in Bobo-Dioulasso, as well as a citizen observation event at the Women’s Roundabout in Bobo-Dioulasso.

Romuald Dauphiny

Lefaso.com