🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Digital platform Deme Sira aims for transparent social assistance in Burkina Faso
via Lefaso.net6 min read
Lieutenant-Colonel Pélagie Kaboré, Minister in charge of Solidarity, launched the digital platform Deme Sira on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The platform is designed to effectively implement the government's social protection and action policy, addressing new vulnerabilities created by sociopolitical challenges and crises. Deme Sira aims to provide rapid support to vulnerable individuals across Burkina Faso, allowing anyone with a phone to submit a request for themselves or others. Key innovations include enhanced traceability, transparency, and security in resource collection and utilization. The platform will coordinate actions among social actors and report on resource use, ensuring contributors know their donations directly help specific individuals. While not replacing existing individual solidarity efforts, Deme Sira will complement and coordinate them, bringing greater rigor and transparency. All non-contributory social protection structures within the ministry are integrated into the platform to efficiently manage cases. For specific interventions, a dedicated fund is opened, allowing contributors to track its progress and verify the use of funds. In urgent social cases, the Ministry can draw on the national social assistance and solidarity fund. To address the challenge of illiteracy, the platform currently allows literate individuals to submit requests on behalf of others, with future plans to integrate voice commands and artificial intelligence in nationa
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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.