Sanematenga: SEVE Africa, in collaboration with Oxfam, organized a training course for community actors in Sanmatenga province, focusing on “Prevention, Mediation and Resolution of Community Conflicts.”
According to Burkina Information Agency, the training, which took place from May 20 to 21, 2025, in Kaya, brought together women and young people from various local organizations, including community leaders, local authorities, local stakeholders, and representatives of traditional bodies. This initiative is part of the “Strengthening the Resilience and Social Cohesion of Populations Affected by Crises and the Impacts of Climate Change in the North Central Region” project, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The High Commissioner of Sanmatenga Province, Idrissa Gamsonr©, emphasized the importance of involving women’s organizations, youth organizations, and opinion leaders as key pillars for promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding. He urged participants to embrace the project and serve as role models within their communities. “Given the importance that the highest authorities of Burkina Faso place on living together, peaceful coexistence, and achieving the objectives of our interventions, I invite you to actively participate in the discussions, through a frank and structured dialogue, in order to identify good endogenous practices in the prevention, mediation and management of community conflicts for peace and social cohesion,” stated Mr. Gamsonr©.
The training aimed to equip participants with the understanding of conflict concepts and the ability to identify existing or potential conflicts in Kaya. It also focused on mediation techniques, conflict prevention and management tools, and fostering a culture of dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts. Project manager Lassogb¨hilone Kambir© highlighted that the training sought to enhance the capacities of local populations to address social tensions, promote dialogue, and consolidate peace amidst multiple crises. “It enabled participants to acquire essential skills to become peace actors in their respective communities,” he noted.
Interactive modules during the session facilitated the exchange of ideas and practical learning, focusing on analyzing conflict causes, prevention methods, and peaceful resolution tools. Through this initiative, SEVE Africa continues to demonstrate its commitment to promoting community resilience, social cohesion, and empowering women and youth in crisis-affected areas. The BMZ project is active in the municipalities of Kaya, Kongoussi, and Boulsa, with the overarching goal of strengthening the resilience of the population and the network of local actors in the Centre-North region, fostering resilient and sustainable development, and reinforcing peace and social cohesion.