
The Permanent Secretariat of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative EITI and the Association of Mining Students of Burkina Faso AEM-BF organized a debate in Ouagadougou on April 18, 2026, focusing on "Transparency and mining governance: lessons from the 2024 EITI report." The event brought together students from various public and private universities, including Aube Nouvelle University, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, Thomas Sankara University, and Ouagadougou Private University. Didier Tapsoba, president of AEM-BF, emphasized that transparency and governance of natural resources are a shared responsibility, not solely for decision-makers or companies, especially for the youth who represent the country's future. He stated that as future engineers, researchers, and actors in the mining sector, understanding these issues now prepares them to act responsibly and with commitment. Tapsoba urged participants to ask questions to fully grasp the essence of the 2024 EITI report, which is Burkina Faso's sixteenth such report. Eric Zouré, Permanent Secretary of the EITI, commended AEM-BF's initiative as "patriotic," highlighting the strategic importance of the sector for Burkina Faso. He praised the students' willingness to create a space for citizen dialogue, demonstrating their maturity and sense of responsibility. Zouré noted that an engineer, economist, or financier who understands accountability issues will contribute to strengthening Burkina Faso's mining sector. Zouré als
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Burkina Faso has added 12 new intermediate-level field epidemiologists to its public health workforce, bringing the total number of graduates to 59. These professionals will enhance disease surveillance, investigate outbreaks, and support health responses across the country. The Field Epidemiology Training Program FETP, established in 2016 following the West African Ebola tragedy, aims to bolster national capacities in epidemiological surveillance and emergency health management. The Minister of Health, Dr. Robert Lucien Jean Claude Kargougou, highlighted the program's strategic importance in addressing persistent epidemic threats and the re-emergence of diseases like Ebola in some African nations. The FETP employs a "One Health" approach, integrating human health with animal health, environmental, and defense sectors for coordinated emergency responses. The program received accreditation from the international TEPHINET network in 2025. The US Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Joann Lockard, reaffirmed her country's commitment to strengthening health security, noting over 15 years of support for national efforts in disease surveillance and epidemic response. The World Health Organization WHO, represented by Dr. Inès Da, also praised the program, especially its "One Health" approach, and pledged continued support to the Burkinabe government. Dr. Jules Valéry Bonzi, representing the graduates, emphasized their commitment to protecting the Burkinabe population and their readiness to i

Senegal faces significant internal divisions in both its political landscape and football administration. Politically, intense hostilities are observed between President Diomaye Faye and National Assembly President Ousmane Sonko. Sonko, the former Prime Minister, reportedly attempted to amend the constitution to limit the President's powers, particularly regarding the dissolution of the Assembly and control over political funds. The Constitutional Council rejected these amendments on procedural grounds, not on their merits. This move is seen as an effort by Sonko's Pastef party to counter President Faye, who is also building his own political base for the 2029 elections. In football, the Senegalese Football Federation is criticized for the national team's poor performance, including issues with coaching contracts and player bonuses. The Federation's attempt to blame the team doctor, who has served for ten years, drew strong condemnation from the Senegalese Association of Sports Medicine, which demanded a public apology. These situations underscore a broader concern that national leaders are focused on internal power struggles rather than addressing critical issues like youth unemployment and the high cost of living, which continue to drive Senegalese youth to seek opportunities abroad.
Must ReadThe President of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, was received by Burkina Faso's Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, in Ouagadougou on Thursday, July 16, 2026. This marks Youssouf's first official visit to Burkina Faso since taking office, signifying a key step in strengthening relations between the country and the continental organization. During the meeting, the African Union Commission President shared insights from his discussions with various sectoral departments. He commended Burkina Faso's current momentum, which he noted was evident in both statistical data and on-the-ground observations. Youssouf specifically praised the citizen mobilization efforts supporting endogenous development.