Zabre: The canton chief of Zabre, Naaba Kougri, upheld a long-standing tradition on January 1, 2026, by paying a courtesy visit and extending New Year's greetings to the prefect, who also serves as the president of the special delegation (PDS) of Zabre. This gesture is seen as a continuation of the practices established by former chiefs of Zabre, who historically paid respects to commanders, thereby fostering mutual respect and collaboration between customary and administrative authorities.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the prefect of Zabre emphasized that this visit is part of a well-established tradition, which he inherited. It serves to bolster the collaboration between the traditional leadership and administrative structures. Annually, the canton chief, along with his notables and elders, visits to extend greetings not only to the prefect but also to all heads of service and workers in the department.
The visit, attended by the municipal police commander, the commander of the territorial gendarmerie brigade, and the head of the environmental service, saw Naaba Kougri expressing his wishes for longevity, health, and success to the administrative authorities. He acknowledged the efforts of civil servants towards the development of the municipality and expressed hopes for further consolidation of achievements and strengthened collaboration between traditional and administrative bodies for the benefit of the local population.
A symbolic gift was presented to the prefect, and the visit concluded with a community meal, underscoring the spirit of fraternity and solidarity prevalent in Zabre. The Zabre PDS appreciated the initiative, suggesting it is a practice worthy of emulation to strengthen the bond between administrative authorities and traditional leaders.
The prefect addressed social cohesion, highlighting its reality in Zabre, and praised the traditional leadership's role in conflict prevention and management. He noted the lack of major complaints regarding coexistence, even with the presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the commune.
In his closing remarks, the prefect extended wishes for health, prosperity, and social cohesion to the people of Zabre for the year 2026, encouraging them to uphold their achievements and draw inspiration from ancestral values. "If we are in agreement, there is no reason why God should not listen to us," he concluded.