Ouagadougou: The president of the National Commission of the Confederation of Sahel States (CN-CES), Bassolma Bazie, called on Africans on Saturday, during a conference on pan-Africanism and the dynamics of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), to awaken their conscience in order to protect the leaders of the “AES” space and their ideals, in the quest for true sovereignty of the African continent.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Bazie emphasized the importance of solidarity, concerted action, and vigilance against imperialism for the security of the three heads of state of the AES – Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso, Generals Assimi Goita of Mali, and Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger. He highlighted that the current dynamics in the AES region illustrate that these leaders are making strides towards national sovereignty and endogenous development.

The president of the CN-CES was speaking in Ouagadougou at the inaugural conference with Afro-descendants, which focused on pan-Africanism and the dynamics within the AES. He reminded attendees of the historical struggles against external domination, pointing out that while slavery and colonization have historically impeded Africa’s progress, contemporary challenges include neocolonialism.

Mr. Bazie noted the persistent dehumanization of the black man and stressed the need for political, economic, and cultural recognition. He paid tribute to historical figures who have fought for the freedom and sovereignty of African peoples and expressed gratitude to the Afro-descendants who attended the conference in solidarity with Burkina Faso.

Additionally, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, president of the African Diaspora and Development Institute (ADDI), acknowledged Africa’s challenges and emphasized the importance of identifying their roots to effectively address them. She stressed the need to equip the new generation with the tools necessary for Africa to assert its position globally.