Burkina Faso hosts conference on decolonization and African sovereignty with diaspora participation
via Lefaso.net7 min read
A conference on "Colonization and the Perpetuation of Colonial Systems" was held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on April 20, 2026, as part of a visit by Afro-descendants organized by the Institute for the Development of the African Diaspora ADDI and the Burkinabe government. Panelists included Annick Pikbougoum, Minister of Sports, Youth, and Employment; Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla, former Prime Minister and president of the Farafina Institute of Black Peoples IPN-Farafina; and General Kassoum Coulibaly, former Minister of Defense and Veterans, and Burkina Faso's Ambassador to the USA. They discussed Burkina Faso's current efforts under President Ibrahim Traoré to achieve true sovereignty and urged Afro-descendants to join this struggle against neo-colonization. Dr. Kyélèm de Tambèla emphasized that the colonization of Black people predates the 19th century, citing Arab-Muslim and transatlantic slave trades, followed by colonization and now neo-colonization. He highlighted the difficulty of overcoming neo-colonization due to the globalized capitalist system's influence on minds and consumption habits, particularly through education that perpetuates colonial values. He noted that when President Traoré came to power, it was challenging to introduce alternative political and philosophical approaches, as many Burkinabe were convinced that European bourgeois democracy was the only valid form. Dr. Kyélèm de Tambèla argued that African societies have always had their
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
Must ReadA humanoid robot finished first in the Beijing E-town half marathon on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Beijing, according to CGTN. This unprecedented achievement occurred in a hybrid competition where over 12,000 human runners competed against about 100 robot teams on the same course. This historic performance marks a turning point in robotics and sports. Human participants shared the road with more than 100 models of humanoid robots, testing the machines' endurance and speed capabilities in real conditions. By securing first place in the overall standings, the winning robot demonstrated the rapid progress of motor technology and artificial intelligence applied to movement. The widely reported event confirms China's leading position in developing humanoid robots capable of interacting and competing with humans in public spaces.
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.
Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, visited the set of a documentary film about Ladji Yoro on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The film, directed by Salam Zampaligré, chronicles the life of Ladji Yoro, an iconic figure of popular resistance in Burkina Faso. Production of the film is supported by Faso Films Fonds, demonstrating the state's commitment to funding works that document the country's contemporary and heroic history. The Minister commended the team for their rigorous work, emphasizing cinema's crucial role in promoting Burkinabè culture. This film is considered a significant contribution to preserving national memory, aiming to inspire current generations through the art of cinema.