Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stella Eldine Kabre/Kabore, called on Monday for a strengthening of strategic ties between Africa and its diaspora. This announcement was made at the opening of the Pan-African Conferences organized by the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI).
According to Burkina Information Agency, these conferences aim to transform the diaspora's role from merely being observed to becoming integrated, and to move from symbolic cooperation to operational cooperation. The Minister emphasized the need for a shift from a principled pan-Africanism to a pan-Africanism of action. The priorities outlined include establishing effective mechanisms linking state needs to diaspora expertise, directing investments towards strategic sectors, and bolstering a diplomacy of influence to amplify Africa's voice globally.
For their second visit to Burkina Faso, the Afrodescendants are facilitating debates that bring together over 400 young Burkinabe and diaspora individuals. The goal is to strengthen pan-African ties and celebrate the contribution of Burkinabe youth to the revolution in the Sahel. In her opening address, Minister Kabre/Kabore welcomed the Afro-descendants to Burkina Faso, highlighting their presence as part of a dynamic shift in relations between the continent and its diaspora.
The meeting occurs amidst a redefinition of Africa's political, economic, and diplomatic trajectories, particularly in the Sahel region, with the aim of consolidating sovereignty and forming equitable partnerships. The African diaspora is identified as a key strategic player, expected to contribute to the continent's development through investment, innovation, and influence in major decision-making spheres.
The president of ADDI, Arikana Chihombori-Quao, described the event as a "return to the roots" for Afro-descendants and an essential step in reconnecting Africa with its diaspora. She emphasized the importance of transforming this rapprochement into tangible actions, focusing on skills transfer, investments, and active participation by the diaspora in Africa's developmental dynamics.
Dr. Chihombori-Quao reiterated her commitment to a pan-Africanism of action and a sovereign Africa that can define its own priorities. Supported by the Institute for the Development of the African Diaspora and several partners, this meeting aims to establish a foundation for operational cooperation between Africa and its diaspora. The discussions are expected to result in concrete recommendations for better integration of the diaspora into the continent's development policies.