Boulkiemde: Traditional chiefs from the Nando region and officials from civil society organizations expressed their satisfaction on Saturday following the adoption of the law on the status of customary and traditional chieftaincy in Burkina Faso. For Naaba Kaongo of Poa, this new law represents a major step forward for traditional chieftaincy. According to him, the text will allow for the effective regulation of the customary hierarchy, while reinforcing the respect due to traditional chiefs.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the same sentiment was echoed by the chief of the Konkistenga canton, Naaba Saga, who was installed in 1983 by Mogho Naaba Bongo. He praised it as a "great initiative" that will bring order to the traditional chieftaincy. For him, several similar attempts have failed in the past, but the current momentum driven by the authorities has made it possible to realize this long-awaited project.
He also congratulated the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, for the importance given to traditional chiefs, believing that they had not always been sufficiently considered, despite their historical role in the building of the country. The president of the Regional Council of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of the Nando region, Sountongnooma Dimanche Yameogo, also welcomed the adoption of this law. He described the text as "a very good initiative for the Burkinabe state," believing that it will contribute to better organization and regulation of traditional chieftaincy throughout the national territory.
To that end, he encouraged the President of Burkina Faso to continue in this dynamic of structural reforms. Alphonse Zongo, president of the "Retour aux Sources" association, is following the same path as his predecessors. He enthusiastically welcomes the new law on customary chieftaincy. According to him, this text corrects past abuses where certain leaders hindered freedom of voting and development by imposing candidates through nepotism.
By restoring the neutrality of traditional authorities, this reform guarantees social cohesion and allows the emergence of competent local actors. He congratulates President Ibrahim Traore for this long-awaited initiative which, according to him, cleans up the political game and boosts the development of Burkina Faso. In general opinion, this law officially recognizes the role of customary and traditional leaders in social cohesion, the preservation of cultural values and the consolidation of peace in Burkina Faso.