Zoundweogo: The administrative, traditional, and religious authorities of Manga called on the population on Saturday to make peace, unity, and living together priorities, on the occasion of the local stage of the Peace Caravan initiated by the Islamic Cultural Center of Burkina (CCIB).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the cultural evening for peace, organized at the Place de la Nation in Manga as part of the “Djama-Beog-Nere” cultural caravan, brought together administrative, customary, and religious authorities, civil society organizations, as well as many young people and residents of the commune. The CCIB coordinator, Imam Ali Ilboudo, stated that this caravan is a significant activity organized annually by his organization to promote social cohesion and strengthen ties between communities in Burkina Faso.
Imam Ilboudo explained that throughout the year, they support and train imams to enhance their religious speeches in the media and on social networks, ensuring they convey more messages of peace and unifying speeches. He emphasized that this initiative aims to consolidate the values of unity among the sons and daughters of Burkina Faso, beyond ethnic, cultural, and religious differences.
“We are at a moment in our country’s history where unity must be sacred. Some people seek to divide us by exploiting our differences. Through this caravan, we want to remind everyone that we are first and foremost Burkinabe, and that is what should be our main bond,” he stated.
Referring to the Manga leg of the tour, the CCIB coordinator expressed his satisfaction with the support of the local population and authorities for the message carried by the caravan. “All the religious leaders, administrative officials, and various personalities present delivered a strong message in favor of peace and social cohesion,” he said.
Representatives of religious denominations, customary chieftaincy, particularly those of the Muslim community, the Catholic Church, and the Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions (FEME), stressed the need to promote tolerance, intercommunity dialogue, and living together. The ceremony was also marked by the intervention of the Living Human Treasure of the province of Zoundweogo, Naaba Ligdi of Kassougou, who conveyed the message of the Chief of the canton of Manga, Naaba Kiiba II, praising this initiative for making culture “a lever of peace and social cohesion.”
The representative of the President of the Special Delegation (PDS) of Manga, Captain Mare, expressed gratitude to the initiators of this caravan and praised an approach that contributes to strengthening community resilience and national unity.