Zondoma: Traditional leaders from the Northern Region convened in Gourcy for the inaugural “Customary Leaders’ Day,” an event organized by the Rural World Association (AMR) to discuss their contributions to peace and social cohesion. The gathering, part of the Sahel Community Recovery and Stabilization Project (PCRSS), aimed to encourage traditional leaders to reclaim their roles in fostering peace and unity amid regional insecurity.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event was held at the royal court of Gourcy and featured around sixty customary and traditional leaders. The National Coordinator of AMR, Amadou Wangr©, emphasized the importance of creating a platform for these leaders to exchange ideas and reinforce their responsibilities in peace-building and social cohesion. The event was sponsored by His Majesty Naaba Boogo de Gourcy and chaired by High Commissioner of Zondoma Province, Aboubacar Sidiki Nab©.
Discussions during the event covered various themes, including the role of customary chieftaincy in governance, the fight against insecurity, and its relationship with politics. The Chief of Gourcy highlighted the significance of the gathering, urging traditional leaders to actively contribute to social cohesion, especially in light of ongoing regional conflicts.
Customary leaders expressed gratitude for the establishment of a day dedicated to traditions, viewing it as recognition of culture’s vital role in national development. They also called for the completion of the status of customary chieftaincy to enable them to focus on their traditional duties, free from political influences.
High Commissioner Nab©, representing the Governor of the Northern Region, underscored the importance of integrating customary chiefs into national peace promotion efforts. He urged these leaders to engage in conflict prevention and management within their communities.