Ouagadougou:The Circle of Actions for the Economic and Social Development of Burkina Faso (CADES-BF) has called for the mobilization of institutions, organizations, and citizens to strengthen national sovereignty. This appeal was made during the closing of its Forum on Sovereignty and Collective Intelligence.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility, Émile Zerbo, emphasized in a speech delivered by the Governor of the Kadiogo region, Abdoulaye Bassinga, that sovereignty requires responsibility, collective will, and daily commitment. Sovereignty, he noted, involves freedom of decision, control over national destiny, and development based on Burkina Faso's realities, resources, and aspirations.

The forum addressed various topics including rebuilding institutions, revolutionary memory, the role of the Burkinabé diaspora, community development, civic engagement, fighting corruption, and participatory local governance. Mr. Zerbo highlighted the importance of local participation in decision-making and using local resources to build sovereignty from the ground up.

He also stressed the need to implement the forum's recommendations through concrete actions, with clear priorities and monitoring mechanisms. Additionally, he praised CADES-BF for its strategic contributions towards national development.

The Governor of the Liptako region, Abdoul Karim Zongo, representing the governors, supported the initiative, emphasizing the need for concerted action among government, organizations, and citizens. Zongo advocated for the integration of skills from various societal sectors to aid Burkina Faso's development.

The coordinator of CADES-BF, Djourmit Nestor Nouf, expressed gratitude to all contributors to the forum and highlighted the importance of transforming the forum's conclusions into actionable initiatives. He reiterated the organization's commitment to promoting sovereignty for economic and social progress.

The forum concluded with a call for synergy among institutions and citizens to support the country's economic and social transformation. The participants were later received by the Grand Chancellor of the Burkinabe Orders, where retired Brigadier General Pingrenoma Zagr commended the collective efforts towards national sovereignty.