Ouagadougou: The third edition of the Military-Cultural Camp for Adolescents and Youth (CMC-AJ 2026), which brings together campers from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), concluded at the Girls' College in Loumbila. The event spanned eight days from August 20 to 27, 2026, focusing on pan-Africanism, resilience, and civic engagement.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the camp was organized by the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment under the theme: "Resilient and patriotic youth committed to the service of the sovereignty of the AES". Over the course of eight days, the campers engaged in military, cultural, sporting, and educational activities aimed at enhancing their discipline, resilience, patriotic spirit, and civic engagement.
Comrade Alexandre Yougbar, representing the minister at the closing ceremony, expressed satisfaction with the camp's progress, noting the campers' vision and the importance of such initiatives for youth training. He emphasized the role of these camps in fostering a youth that is aware of its responsibilities and committed to building a united and sovereign AES.
The camp director, Dr. Somala Sawadogo, highlighted the participants' commitment to the various activities. He encouraged them to apply the lessons learned to benefit their communities and expressed hope that the initiative would continue to benefit more teenagers and young people in the AES region.
Participant Achatou Abdoul Adamou from Niger shared her positive experience, highlighting the bonds of fraternity, friendship, and solidarity formed among the young people from AES countries. She noted the cultural exchanges and activities like sports, dance, and crafts that fostered a sense of fraternity and patriotism.
This third edition of the Military-Cultural Camp provided a platform for young people in the AES area to meet, train, and share experiences. It aims to contribute to the emergence of a youth more conscious of sovereignty, resilience, and development issues in the member countries of the Confederation of Sahel States.