Second edition of AES Fraternity Week promotes unity and cultural integration
via Lefaso.net8 min read
The second edition of the Alliance of Sahel States AES Fraternity Week, which began on April 26, 2026, in Bobo-Dioulasso, concluded on May 1. The closing ceremony, held at the Mgr Anselme Titianma Sanon House of Culture, was presided over by the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo. The event featured diverse artistic performances by troupes from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Organized alongside the 22nd National Culture Week 2026, this cultural week served as a platform to promote fraternity, social cohesion, and solidarity among Sahelian peoples. Minister Ouédraogo highlighted the diplomatic, institutional, and symbolic significance of the event, emphasizing that the strong participation reflected a shared desire to consolidate sovereign integration based on culture. The week showcased the rich and diverse cultural and tourism heritage of the participating countries through stands, artistic performances, and gastronomic spaces. Panels held at universities facilitated discussions on culture's role in strengthening social cohesion and bringing people together. The Minister of Culture stressed the importance of translating commitments into concrete actions, including facilitating the movement of artists and works, structuring cultural sectors, and promoting local products for economic development. Alamouta Dagnoko, technical advisor to Mali's Ministry of Culture, and Idrissa Ousmane Nahantchi, director of cultural heritage for Ni
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