Tenkodogo: Users of the Zourma dam, located in the commune of Zabre in the Nakambe region, have successfully adopted and validated a concerted management agreement aimed at managing this strategic resource. This agreement is the result of an inclusive dialogue process conducted with the assistance of the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD). It is designed to mitigate recurring tensions associated with the dam’s operation, while simultaneously preserving social cohesion and the infrastructure’s sustainability.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the initiative was sparked by a mission conducted from June 23 to 26, 2025, which identified existing rules, user categories, and the primary factors contributing to conflicts around the dam. Surveys, interviews, and focus groups carried out in six villages and hamlets indicated that the aging but heavily utilized reservoir was shared by nine user categories, including fishermen, market gardeners, and livestock farmers, often competing for access to water and surrounding land.
In response to the deteriorating social climate, the Zabre special delegation sought assistance from the HD to develop a local agreement. This effort is part of the agropastoral mediation project, initiated by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in the Nakambe region since 2024, which has resolved numerous conflicts related to natural resources and strengthened networks of community mediators.
From September 2 to 4, 2025, a negotiation meeting in Tenkodogo brought together user representatives, traditional leaders, local elected officials, technical services, and administrative authorities. Participants amended and validated a draft agreement, with the rules now recorded in a written document serving as a common reference. A management committee and a monitoring committee have been established to ensure the agreement’s implementation. Representing the Governor of Nakambe, the High Commissioner of Boulgou, Domegbeguiere Constantin Dabire, commended the process for placing communities at the forefront of resource management and use, while ensuring that the agreement respects local practices and aligns with national legislation.
Moussa Tall, head of the HD office in Burkina Faso, expressed satisfaction with the signing of the first local agreement supported by his organization in the country. He emphasized that these instruments are vital for conflict prevention and strengthening social cohesion, and stated the organization’s readiness to support other communities in similar endeavors. On behalf of the customary chiefdom, Harouna Gouba, representing Naaba Kougri of Zabre, emphasized the user’s responsibility to adhere to the rules they defined, noting that having them documented encourages greater respect.
Boubie Alain Bassomo, president of the Zabre special delegation, highlighted the community’s initiative in contacting the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue after recognizing threats to social cohesion. He stressed the community’s responsibility to monitor the agreement’s implementation for the local economy and population’s benefit. All stakeholders acknowledged the significant role of technical services in supporting the communities throughout the process, from diagnosis to agreement signing.
The validation of the local agreement for managing the Zourma Dam represents a significant milestone in preventing conflicts related to natural resources in Burkina Faso. By involving communities, authorities, and technical partners directly, the process provides a framework for shared and sustainable governance. For the people of Zabre, this initiative serves as both a regulatory and mediation mechanism, as well as a tool for maintaining social cohesion and promoting local development. As Moussa Tall noted, the challenge is for this agreement to thrive and genuinely benefit users.
The success of this initiative paves the way for similar projects in other municipalities in the Nakambe region and beyond, where natural resources are both a source of wealth and tension.