Boulsa, Burkina Faso – In a New Year’s address, Adama Conseiga, the High Commissioner of Namentenga province, focused on peace and the return of internally displaced people (IDPs) to their original localities.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Namentenga faced significant challenges in 2023, starting with the mass displacement of populations from Boala, Zéguédéguin, and Dargo due to terrorist attacks. These IDPs found refuge in Boulsa, while others from Bouroum and Nagbingou were sheltered in Tougouri and Yalgo. He noted that while some IDPs returned to their localities in the middle of the year, the province experienced an increase in attacks towards the end of the year.

The High Commissioner expressed his desire for 2024 to be a year marked by peace, health, and joy. He highlighted the importance of IDPs returning to their places of origin to rebuild their lives.

Conseiga extended his gratitude to the local community, humanitarians, and development partners for their solidarity and support towards the IDPs. He specifically thanked the head of Boulsa Naba Sonré and a local company for assisting with the burial of those killed in Zaongo, in the commune of Boala.

Reassuring both the provincial and national community, Conseiga affirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the attacks. He urged the population to work towards promoting unity within the province and to avoid spreading messages that could harm communal harmony.

In his concluding remarks, the High Commissioner paid tribute to those who lost their lives in defense of the nation and offered his support and appreciation to the armed forces of Burkina Faso, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to overcoming its challenges.