Ouagadougou, December 3, 2023 (AIB) – The Burkinabè government has expressed its admiration for the late Yacouba Sawadogo, an environmentalist who dedicated half a century to combating desertification, following his passing on Sunday.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the government expressed its sorrow over the loss of Sawadogo, who passed away in Ouahigouya on December 3, 2023. The government recognized him as a visionary and a man of action, commending his successful efforts to halt the encroachment of the desert.
The government acknowledged Sawadogo’s life as one of utility, resilience, commitment, combativeness, and perseverance in the battle against desertification. Known as “the man who stopped the desert,” Sawadogo was celebrated for his work in reclaiming degraded land and reforesting a 27-hectare area in Ouahigouya, transforming it into a forest.
Sawadogo’s efforts, which earned him the United Nations’ “Champion of the Earth” distinction in 2020, the organization’s most prestigious environmental award, were highlighted as inspirational for current and future generations. The government emphasized the importance of individual and collective responsibility in environmental preservation.
The government extended its deepest condolences to Sawadogo’s family and expressed hope that he rests in peace in the free land of Burkina Faso, a land he tirelessly worked to restore.
The statement was issued in Ouagadougou on December 3, 2023, by the spokesperson for the Burkinabe government.