Mouhoun: Traditional chiefs from forty villages in the commune of Dedougou gathered to present New Year's greetings to the Canton Chief, marking their commitment to tradition on Monday, December 22, 2025. This annual gathering serves as a forum for reflecting on the past year's achievements and challenges, and for setting future goals for the harmonious development of the canton.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting was an opportunity for the village chiefs to praise the Canton Chief's leadership, particularly his role in unifying and mobilizing the community around values like peace, social cohesion, and solidarity. These efforts have been credited with maintaining the stability of the canton, as evidenced by the absence of village displacements due to insecurity.
The traditional chiefs expressed their gratitude towards the Canton Chief, acknowledging the concerted actions of customary authorities and traditional sacrifices to ancestors as crucial in consolidating peace and social harmony in Dedougou. The Canton Chief, through his spokesperson, reciprocated the gratitude, commending the village chiefs for their steadfast support and involvement in significant initiatives throughout 2025.
The meeting highlighted the village chiefs' contributions to security, social, and administrative fields, particularly their efforts in mobilizing youth for recruitment into the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) and in crisis management at the local level. The Canton Chief emphasized that no villages had experienced displacements related to insecurity, underscoring the effective collaboration between traditional leaders and the community.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Canton Chief addressed land management issues, urging transparency and responsibility in handling local resources. He advocated for promoting honesty, tolerance, peace, and social cohesion to strengthen community bonds and called for awareness among VDP members about their roles and adherence to the law.
The Canton Chief also announced plans for the establishment of a textile processing plant, requiring 50 hectares, as part of Dedougou's development projects for 2026. He encouraged traditional leaders to facilitate land acquisition through dialogue with the local populations.
Participants reaffirmed the critical role of traditional leadership in preserving peace, managing local affairs, and supporting sustainable development in Dedougou. The ceremony concluded with special recognition of media professionals for their role in highlighting the canton's issues and promoting peace and social cohesion.