Bobo-dioulasso: The president of the commission of the National Confederation of Sahel States (AES), Bassolma Bazie, has made a compelling call to young people, urging them to "decolonize the mind" to build a more sovereign community that is acutely aware of its own realities.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Mr. Bazie highlighted that the most profound threats are not just physical consumption but also the intellectual content that individuals absorb. He emphasized that what can be toxic is not only what people consume but also what they listen to and read. This statement was part of his speech delivered on Friday, November 22, 2025, during a conference in Bobo-Dioulasso.

The president urged a revision of educational curricula to free minds from the remnants of colonial domination. He underscored the significance of understanding the impacts of slavery and what he described as "formal" independence movements, promoting the idea of "decolonizing the mind" to establish a sovereign and enlightened society.

Mr. Bazie called on the youth to actively participate and cultivate a robust culture to develop into "a quality youth." He also addressed governance issues, advocating for exemplary behavior in public administration. He stressed that any mission assigned by the Head of State should be executed with rigor and loyalty.

Moreover, Mr. Bazie criticized the pursuit of personal interests, which he believes oppose the principles of integrity and patriotism promoted by the current authorities.