Mouhoun: The Secretary General of Mouhoun Province, Boureima Ou©draogo, representing the Governor of Bankui, chaired a training session on social cohesion and living together with some fifty Muslim leaders in D©dougou from Thursday, September 11 to Saturday, September 13, 2025. Organized as part of the Djama BEog NErE Project, this activity aims to strengthen the capacities of religious leaders so that they can actively contribute to the consolidation of peace, social cohesion, and respect for human rights.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the training session was organized in line with the teachings of Islam in the Bankui region, focusing on social cohesion and communal living for around fifty Muslim leaders. Boureima Ou©draogo emphasized the importance of this initiative as a continuation of efforts by the State to preserve national unity. He stressed the necessity of social cohesion for sustainable development and addressed the tensions in the Bankui region exacerbated by the security crisis, highlighting the need for concerted and inclusive actions to prevent social fractures.
Ou©draogo outlined the project's focus on advocacy and training for Islamic community leaders, anticipating that it will help restore trust and peace, essential for the harmonious development of Burkina Faso. He encouraged participants to internalize the lessons and disseminate them in their localities, reinforcing community resilience and national unity.
The coordinator of the Djama BEog NErE Project, Kadr© Sawadogo, articulated the initiative's aim to transform Muslim leaders into "ambassadors of peace and social cohesion." Sawadogo detailed the project's response to the need for equipping religious leaders with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively contribute to conflict prevention and social mediation. He underscored the importance of religious leaders' roles in shaping social behavior and urged them to apply the training in practice to build a united and resilient society.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in modules designed to enhance their roles as social mediators and communicators of peace within their communities. Implemented by the Circle for Islamic Studies, Research and Training (CERFI), the Djama BEog NErE Project is a 32-month initiative spanning several regions in Burkina Faso, promoting peace, social cohesion, and human rights. The project also prioritizes dialogue and the empowerment of women, recognizing them as crucial contributors to community resilience.