African Union chairperson Evariste Ndayishimiye gains insight into Sahel reality and Burkina Faso's people
via Lefaso.net1 min read
African Union Chairperson Evariste Ndayishimiye stated on Monday, April 20, 2026, that he now understands the objective reality of the Sahel region and the Burkinabe people. Following discussions with Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traoré at the Koulouba Palace regarding security challenges and cooperation between the Alliance of Sahel States AES and the AU, Ndayishimiye commended his counterpart for his courage, dedication, and commitment to peace and stability in his country. The Burundian head of state also praised the mobilization of the Burkinabe people alongside their authorities in the fight against terrorism and for national sovereignty. He noted that this mission would enable him to prepare an objective report for the organization's bodies, aiming to strengthen relations between the AES and the AU. Mr. Ndayishimiye emphasized the African Union's crucial role as a bridge between the continent's peoples and institutions to foster a common future based on solidarity and cooperation.
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Moussa Dakouré, a young farmer and livestock breeder from Koala village, Saaba commune, Burkina Faso, represents a new generation of agricultural entrepreneurs. Born into a farming family in Ouagadougou, he developed an early passion for agriculture, leaving primary school to pursue it. Dakouré is engaged in market gardening and food crops, but also embraces innovation. About four years ago, he ventured into pineapple cultivation, a challenging crop for his region's climate. His interest was sparked by a Facebook video, leading him to learn online and gain practical experience at a friend's pineapple plantation in Komki-Ipala. Despite initial difficulties with irrigation, he has improved water management and expects production to begin around May-June. Dakouré also harbors the ambitious goal of introducing cacao cultivation to his village, a surprising endeavor for a Sahelian zone. He previously attempted this with 8,000 cacao plants, which were lost due to a lack of maintenance by his collaborators while he was in Ghana. Undeterred, he plans to restart cacao cultivation and is seeking partners for seeds from coastal countries. Recognizing the climatic constraints, he remains optimistic, believing that "nothing is impossible with willpower." Dakouré is appealing for support, including seeds, technical advice, accompaniment, or financial assistance, to realize his projects. His initiatives are seen as vital for diversifying and innovating agriculture in the local economy.
Mandarin is increasingly seen as a language of the future in Burkina Faso, with a growing number of students and professionals learning it. Abdou Aziz Saré, a journalist at BF1 private television, was inspired to learn Mandarin after observing Chinese students mastering African languages like Swahili. He believes Mandarin will become an international language, similar to English, especially in Africa due to China's growing presence and economic influence. This creates a demand for individuals who can bridge communication gaps between African and Chinese entities. Carolle Sanogo, a student, began learning Mandarin to watch Chinese films without subtitles and to understand Chinese culture. She has represented Burkina Faso at the 9th edition of the Sino-African Youth Gala and sees professional opportunities, such as working as an interpreter for Chinese companies in Burkina Faso. Xiang Ying, a Mandarin teacher in Burkina Faso, notes a continuous increase in learners, including university students, professionals in commerce with China, and airport staff. He emphasizes that mastering Chinese enhances competitiveness in fields like trade, finance, diplomacy, tourism, and education, facilitating direct communication with Chinese partners and clients, and enriching travel experiences in China and parts of Asia.