Ouagadougou: The Director General of the National Center for Strategic Studies (CNES), General Aim© Barth©lemy Simpor©, highlighted the exploitation of Africa's abundant natural resources by foreign powers during the opening of the 3rd Scientific Research Forum. He asserted that these resources, despite their abundance, have only served to benefit external nations, leaving the continent's inhabitants mired in conflict and poverty.

According to Burkina Information Agency, General Simpor© emphasized the potential wealth of the Sahel and Africa at large, lamenting that more than sixty years post-independence, these resources have primarily enriched predatory countries. This exploitation has resulted in neglect for the local population, who continue to suffer from war and hunger.

The forum, hosted in Ouagadougou, is themed "Africa and its strategic resources: issues, opportunities and development challenges." General Simpor© underscored the pertinence of this theme, considering the ongoing strategic dynamics at national, regional, and international levels.

In his inaugural speech, former Nigerien Prime Minister Harouna Hassan Mayaki called for African nations to reclaim control over their strategic resources. He encouraged the continent to accelerate industrialization by "intelligent imitation" of successful models observed globally.

The two-day Strategic Research Forum, running Wednesday and Thursday, will gather numerous experts from research and strategic economic sectors. Dr. Sampala Balima, Deputy Director General of CNES-BF, indicated that the forum will cover several critical areas: 'Mapping and geopolitics of African strategic resources,' 'Governance of strategic resources,' and 'Economic and industrial issues.'