Promoting peace and sovereignty in Africa

From 24 to 26 August 2024, Niamey hosted a historic event at the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre: the first Hausa Journalists Forum. Organised by the African Union of Hausa Journalists, the forum brought together more than 100 professionals from 11 African countries. The theme of the event was “Promoting peace, cohesion and social tranquility through the Hausa language and safeguarding the sovereignty of African countries”, marking a turning point in the value and recognition of the Hausa language as a vehicle for peace and social cohesion.

With over 100 million speakers, Hausa is one of the most spoken languages ​​in Africa and the 25th most spoken language in the world. Airing on the largest radio and television channels, Hausa plays a major role not only in West, Central and East Africa, but also on the international stage. This global reach enhances its importance as a key tool in media and education, thereby promoting stability, peace and social cohesion on the continent.

The forum was opened by the Prime Minister of Niger, Mr. Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, who paid tribute to the efforts of the National Committee for the Protection of the Motherland (CNSP) to promote the national language. Mr. Zeine recalled the importance of this forum in strengthening trust between the authorities and the people, and stressed that the success of this meeting will depend on the commitment of journalists to raise awareness among the population in the national language.

Minister of Communications, Posts and Digital Economy, Mr. Sidi Mohammed Laliu, has stressed the importance of the Hausa language in both modern and traditional media. He also announced a government initiative to introduce national language courses at the Higher School of Communication (ESCOM) to train journalists in Hausa, which will strengthen the professionalization of local language journalism.

Over two days, participants debated important topics on the future of Hausa journalism. They explored topics such as the responsibility of journalists in combating fake news, the impact of social media on the spread of false information, and the role of the media in times of conflict. The discussions aimed to encourage Hausa journalists to adopt a rigorous and objective approach, which is essential for social cohesion and development in Africa.

The forum also stressed the need for journalists to adopt a pan-African approach and deconstruct false information conveyed by certain Western media outlets. They are called upon to be defenders of the sovereignty of African countries and prioritize the higher interests of their countries.

Speakers including Hadjia Mariama Sarkin Abzin, President of the Hausa Journalists Union, and guests of honor from Nigeria, Dr. Hamza El Mustafa and Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad, appreciated the organization of the forum. They stressed the importance of a new vision for Hausa journalism to the recovery of African countries. They also expressed admiration for the resilience of the people of Niger and supported the sovereigntist approach of the CNSP.

During the opening ceremony, the President of the African Union of Hausa Journalists presented a symbolic gift to the President of CNSP, General Abdourahamane Tiani. This gesture was meaningful and symbolized the solidarity and support of Hausa journalists for the sovereign endeavours of African countries.

The inaugural Hausa Journalists Forum sets the stage for a new era in which the Hausa language will play a central role in the dissemination of authentic and rigorous information. By placing the Hausa language at the heart of communication strategies for peace and social cohesion, the forum forges the path towards a future in which African media, especially Hausa media, will become a vital pillar of sovereignty and development on the continent.

Boubacar Guédé (Nigerien expatriate)