Day: May 2, 2024

Tunis: President Kais Saied met on Thursday afternoon at the Carthage Palace Minister of Education, Saloua Abbassi and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and acting Minister of Cultural Affairs Moncef Boukthir.

The meeting addressed the preparations for the national exams and the ongoing preparations in coordination with all state agencies for their smooth conduct, according to a statement from the Presidency.

In this regard, the Head of State emphasised that national exams are a red line and those who want to disrupt or compromise them will not be tolerated.

The meeting also dealt with the draft law provided for in Chapter IX of the Constitution of July 25, 2022, on the organisation of the composition, mandates and functioning of the Higher Education Council.

The President of the Republic stressed the importance of this constitutional institution, recalling that one of the biggest crimes committed against the Tunisian people since the early 1990s has been the constant amendments, which
were made for political reasons.

The President of the Republic reiterated the need to find final solutions to the situation of substitute teachers based on objective criteria that preserve their rights and the rights of students.

The President of the Republic also ordered the review of some scientific courses in higher education ‘that do not open up prospects for students in Tunisia and those with higher degrees can only find prospects abroad or remain unemployed.’

The President of the Republic stressed the need to review Tunisia’s cultural policy in order to make it a national culture based on true freedom of thought and creativity and immunise society from both vulgarity and extremism. ‘There is no future for any people without a national education and without a national culture.’

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

The Trade Union Action Unit (UAS), Hauts-Bassins section held a meeting at the Bobo-Dioulasso Labor Exchange, on May 1, 2024, to celebrate Labor Day.

Workers went to the Bobo-Dioulasso Labor Exchange on May 1, 2024, to celebrate Labor Day.

Equipped with banners, they held a meeting there during which the Union Action Unit (UAS) delivered its message to the world of workers.

This message read by the secretary general of the National Union of Administration and Management Personnel of Education and Research, (SYNAPAGER), Kalifa Ouattara, the unions depicted the international, African and national situation, and the conditions of life of workers.

After taking an overview of the national situation, the unions in the Hauts-Bassins region welcomed the development of courts at the renovated Bobo-Dioulasso courthouse.

In 2018 the unions demanded the termination of the lease contracts of certain courts in Bobo-Dioulasso, and the rehabilitation of the courthouse in the town of Sya.

The UAS still demands the reloc
ation of certain cement plants because, according to it, they are located in the protected areas of the Kou River, endangering, it says, the lives of the populations of the city and the country through the risks of pollution of the groundwater.

In addition, the unions denounced the high cost of living resulting from the surge in prices of cereal products linked to the war in Ukraine and the inability for many farmers to produce due to insecurity, withholdings on wages and workers’ compensation, the introduction of taxes on drinks, tobacco and telephone consumption.

She also criticized the water cuts and load shedding which cause numerous damages to economic players, particularly those operating in the fields of metal construction, the sale of dairy products, fishmongers and charcuterie products.

The Hauts-Bassins coordination of the UAS then invited its activists to be more determined in their fights against impunity, corruption, fraud and for freedoms.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The Burkinabè Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality (ABNORM) organized, on Monday April 29, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso, an information and awareness workshop for stakeholders on the importance of participation in the 13th edition of the Burkinabè Quality Prize (PBQ).

Socio-economic stakeholders have little knowledge at the national level of the ‘Burkinabe Quality Prize’ competition and its issues.

To remedy this state of affairs, the Burkinabè Agency for Standardization, Metrology and Quality (ABNORM) organized an awareness workshop in order to equip these different actors to better encourage the participation of Relevant Interested Parties (PIP). in the Burkinabè Quality Prize competition.

The workshop was held on Monday April 29, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso.

According to the Director General of ABNORM, Habraham Somda, this information and awareness session is an ‘innovative’ initiative which aims to strengthen capacities in terms of Standardization, certification but also and above all on PBQ.

More
specifically, it aims to make the PBQ known to ABNORM PIPs, encourage the participation of PIPs in the 13th edition of the PBQ, and improve the promotion of quality.

The 13th edition of the PBQ will see innovations compared to previous ones.

In addition to trophies and certificates, Mr. Somda said, the prizes will be accompanied by packages, cash prizes, rewards for participation in fairs or certifications for small businesses.

Indeed, according to him, this price is all the more important given that, at the current state, the lack of quality of products and services constitutes one of the major obstacles to the competitiveness of companies both nationally and ‘international.

Thus, one of the actions undertaken by ABNORM consists of carrying out actions to promote quality for decision-makers, businesses and civil society.

Hence the regular holding of the Burkinabè Quality Prize which aims to encourage companies to implement the quality approach in order to improve the quality of products and services.

T
his is why he invited companies, from the largest to the smallest, to fully adhere to the activities of ABNORM and to actively participate in the promotion of quality in the country for their own interest, that of consumers and hence the national economy.

Furthermore, the Director General of ABNORM urged the participants in the workshop to fully invest in fruitful exchanges on the different modules that will be covered.

For his part, Moïbo Basile Somé, representative of a company at the meeting, welcomed this approach by ABNORM.

According to him, companies do not participate because they do not know the quintessence of this competition.

‘In previous editions, we only received the documentation. Then, on TV and radio, we followed the spots,’ Mr. Somé said.

This is why he welcomed this approach of coming into contact to give stakeholders information on the PBQ. Anything that can increase the participation of companies in the competition, faith of Basile Somé.

He said he was convinced that many companies w
ould be able to join after this awareness session.

As a reminder, the meetings will continue in Koudougou and Ouagadougou.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The president of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), Dr Ousmane Bougouma, visited on Monday April 29, 2024, the installations of the New Oil and Soap Company (SN-CITEC) in Bobo-Dioulasso.

The New Oil and Soap Company (SN-CITEC) received a visit from a distinguished guest.

This is the president of the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT), Dr Ousmane Bougouma.

Accompanied by parliamentarians, Dr Bougouma visited the installations of the SN-CITEC in Bobo-Dioulasso this Monday, April 29, 2024. At a pace, the president of the ALT toured the industrial installations of the oil mill and soap factory of the SN- CITEC.

From the oil packaging workshop to the soapmaking workshop, the head of the Parliament of the Transition was able to immerse himself in the manufacturing processes, oil, soap, and co-products (livestock feed and cottonseed and soybean meals).

The water treatment plant and the quality control laboratory were also visited by Mr. Bougouma.

At the end of the visit, he said he was satisfied
with what he had observed.

‘We saw a dynamic team composed exclusively of Burkinabè people who work night and day to transform local products and make quality products available to the consumer,’ he said.

Despite the difficulties, underlined Dr Bougouma, SN-CITEC always manages to put quality products on the market.

SN-CITEC is an industrial unit which is barely operating at 40% of its production capacity which, despite everything, generates profits, he indicated.

This is why Dr Bougouma praised the resilience of the oldest Burkinabe industry which has stood the test of time since its creation in 1941.

Dr Ousmane Bougouma said he recognized the merit of the pioneers who have since kept the torch lit despite storms of all kinds coming from all sides.

‘I salute the self-sacrifice of the work of our predecessors who bequeathed us a flagship of Burkinabe industry, and the expertise of all the workers,’ he added.

Furthermore, he encouraged staff to remain in this dynamic in accordance with the vision of the
transitional authorities: endogenous development through the promotion of national industry.

For him, this company participates in endogenous development because the raw materials are mainly produced in Burkina Faso and all Burkinabe production is aimed at Burkinabe consumers.

His conviction is that if this production unit is properly supported by the Burkinabè State, it can also transform substantially.

This is why it is important to support this industrial unit so that it can grow further for the happiness of consumers, and for the development of the Burkinabe economy.

The general director of SN-CITEC, Ibrahim Traoré, welcomed the visit of the president of the ALT, who, he said, is an ‘excellent’ source of motivation.

It also constitutes, according to him, a call to continue with resilience.

SN-CITEC, said Mr. Traoré, is a model of public-private partnership and a commercial economic model for the benefit of all stakeholders concerned by the company (shareholders, staff and the state).

However, the c
ompany is experiencing some difficulties, the main difficulty of which is linked to the mobilization of raw materials (cotton and soybean seeds).

‘We are encountering enormous difficulties in having the quantities capable of covering the installed capacities of the company which are of the order of 120,000 tons of oilseed materials for 122,500,000 liters of oil per campaign with the possibility of working for 11 months out of 12,’ he explained.

Unfortunately, lamented Ibrahim Traoré, in recent years, the industrial unit has worked on average over three months out of 11 possible.

This demonstrates the difficulty that SN-CITEC encounters in mobilizing raw materials in order to make its contribution to achieving food security.

He hoped that the ALT could grant the government all the legislative means capable of working to organize all the sectors in Burkina Faso.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The charge d’affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Burkina Faso, Eric P. Whitaker, was summoned Thursday evening by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we learned AIB from sources close to the matter.

This summons follows the publication of a joint statement from the United States of America and the United Kingdom, repeating the accusations of massacres of civilians, made by the NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW) against the Burkinabè Combatant Forces.

Eric P. Whitaker was given a note verbale containing the Burkinabe government’s reaction to the joint statement.

According to our sources, another note verbale was sent to the High Commission of the United Kingdom in Burkina Faso with residence in Accra, Ghana.

In both documents, Burkina Faso is surprised that the United States of America and the United Kingdom, usually attached to scientific rigor, are reacting on the basis of a report with hasty conclusions.

Burkina Faso reiterates that the HRW report is a pamphlet lacking credibility both in
terms of the methodology of the investigation and the data used to reach its conclusions.

Ouagadougou recalls having opened investigations which are ongoing, following allegations of human rights violations and abuses.

The Land of Upright Men reaffirms the professionalism of these Fighting Forces and says it expects frank and sincere support from the international community.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

Today’s publications echo the death of former minister Pierre Claver Damiba, the check for 50 million from LONAB given to the organizing committee of the SNC and the commemoration of the day of May 1 by the unions.

‘World Labor Day: unions demand more security’ reads Sidwaya on his headline.

The state daily reports that the trade union action unit, trade union centers and independent unions invited workers to a march meeting yesterday at the Labor Exchange on the occasion of World Labor Day.

The daily L’Observateur Paalga, however, continues that there was certainly the meeting but not the traditional march to hand over the demand platform to the government.

Reading the private daily Le Pays, according to union officials, the march was banned by the government.

For the private newspaper, in their request, they asked, among other things, for more security for the populations and their property.

In another register, the dean of private daily newspapers writes on his front page: ‘SNC 2024: LONAB strengthen
s the organizing committee by 40 bricks’.

The colleague reports that with this jackpot from LONAB, several questions still pending will find the beginning of a solution for the smooth running of the biennial.

For its part, the public newspaper indicates that during a visit to the site of the communities’ village, the Minister in charge of Culture, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo declared that this site constituted historic moments of communion, fraternity and above all of expression of cultural proximity between countries.

From another angle, Le Pays headlines on its front page: ‘Former minister Pierre Claver Damiba is no more’.

The newspaper informs that Pierre Laver Damiba died yesterday at the Bogodogo University Hospital at the age of 87.

The Paalga Observer continues that this is a loss for the Damiba family and the great Koupéla but also for Burkina and Africa, judging by the national and international career of the deceased/

As for Sidwaya, he returned to the career of the deceased, moving from his posit
ion as Minister of Planning and Public Works in 1966, to his last function, that of international consultant.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The 21st Edition of the National Culture Week (SNC) continues with a remarkable participation of the National Armed Forces, who exhibit their literary contribution within the Chamber of Commerce website, dedicated to literary activities.

At the heart of this space the army unveiled around a hundred books written by members of the national armed forces. These works, varied and rich in content, cover themes ranging from politics to history to contemporary society. The average cost of each work is estimated at 3000 CFA francs

Lieutenant-Colonel William Combary, a veteran military writer with 12 literary works to his credit, shared a few words about this initiative. ‘These books are the fruit of our commitment to culture and education, and we hope that they will contribute to enriching the literary heritage of Burkina Faso,’ he said.

By exhibiting their literary knowledge at SNC 2024, the national armed forces affirm their place in the cultural landscape of Burkina Faso and demonstrate once again their commitm
ent to the intellectual and artistic development of the Nation.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The President of the Legislative Assembly of the Transition (ALT), Dr Ousmane Bougouma, visited on Tuesday April 30, 2024 in Bobo-Dioulasso, the craft and trade fair of the 21st National Week of culture (CNS). He praised the know-how of the exhibitors.

In the company of the ministers in charge of culture from Burkina Faso and Niger, and deputies from the transition, the president of the Legislative Assembly of the Transition (ALT), Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, toured some stands of the fair of the National Culture Week (SNC), Bobo 2024 to appreciate the know-how of the exhibitors.

Today’s visitors visited stands of artisans, traders, private and public companies, or state institutions such as the CSC or the ASCE-LC.

The president of the ALT, after touring the stands, stalls or shops of the fair, praised the know-how of Burkinabe artisans and the presence of other African countries whose products exhibited have great similarities with Burkinabe products. .

‘I welcome the idea of ??rapprochement that exists at the
level of the Alliance of Sahel States and the deepening of the rapprochement of peoples. This is how we will be able to build together a much more peaceful and prosperous world,’ underlined the president of the ALT.

The sales and marketing director of Editions Sidwaya, Moussa Congo, was delighted with the visit of Dr Ousmane Bougouma and the two Burkinabè and Nigerien ministers to their stand.

‘The national assembly and Sidwaya have a long history of partnership and complicity. And we are delighted with this visit by the first person in charge of the ALT to our stand. We took the opportunity to present to him all the special editions, retrospectives, and Sidwaya of the day,’ Mr. Congo said.

To the president of the ALT, Moussa Congo and his collaborators explained the dynamic of Editions Sidwaya to reach as many Burkinabè people as possible through traditional and online media.

‘The latest figures that we have give 5.5 million people that we reach every 28 days,’ said the sales and marketing director of Ed
itions Sidwaya, continued Mr. Congo, it is the choice of ‘ rigor’ and ‘quality of information’, recounted Moussa Congo.

For Ali Konaté, seller of Faso danfani, the president’s visit is a mark of consideration towards them. ‘This visiting son-in-law gives us courage. It is a mark of consideration for us artisans of Faso danfani,’ rejoiced M Konaté.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The general director of the umbrella organization of the credit unions of Burkina, Azaratou Sondo/Nignan and the members of the Board of Directors visited the local authorities of Léo, Friday April 26, 2024, on the sidelines of the holding of the 1st ordinary meeting of the board of directors, for the year 2024.

A courtesy visit to the local authorities of Léo was made on Friday April 26, 2024 by a delegation led by the general director of the umbrella organization of the credit unions of Burkina (FCPB), Azaratou Sondo/Nignan.

The general director of the FCPB, Ms. Sondo and her colleagues informed the local authorities of the holding on Saturday May 4, 2024 in Léo, in the province of Sissili, of the constitutive general assembly of the credit union of the said locality.

To do this, she asked for their support for community mobilization and member membership.

‘We are taking advantage of this meeting to present our pleasantries to the local authorities and seek their support and blessings for the successfu
l completion of our work,’ said the Chairman of the Board of Directors (PCA) of the FCPB, Moussa Lankoandé.

According to him, the administrative, customary and military authorities were satisfied with the visit.

The delegation was reassured of the complete availability of the population to always support them in the successful implementation of their actions.

The High Commissioner of Sissili, Tewendé Isaac Sia, thanked the delegation for the choice made on the town of Léo for holding the 1st ordinary meeting of the board of directors of the umbrella organization for the year 2024.

Sia reflected his province’s commitment to supporting activities at the provincial level.

The network of credit unions in Burkina is a member of the large West African network which brings together five countries. The objective of its creation is to promote endogenous development, through the products and services offered to members.

Leader in Burkina Faso, the network of credit unions has 35 credit unions, more than 200 point
s of sale with a million members across the country. The total amount of credits granted to members of the network amounts to 124 billion FCFA.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The National Armed Forces (FAN) are present at the 21st National Culture Week (SNC) with their literary works at the Bobo-Dioulasso Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The National Armed Forces (FAN) exhibit their literary works at the 21st edition of the National Culture Week (SNC).

According to the head of the stand dedicated to the Bobo-Dioulasso Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lieutenant-Colonel William Combary, also a writer, this window aims to make military authors better known to the public.

From what he said, there are a total of around thirty military authors who are highlighted in this stand through their works which address several themes.

Themes which, explained Lieutenant-Colonel Combary, are not only military but concern life in general.

All literary genres, he continued, are represented in this exhibition of FAN literary works.

‘We have novels, stories, short stories, etc. », said William Combary.

The lieutenant-colonel was also delighted that the grievances expressed during the previou
s edition by the literary exhibitors had been taken into account.

‘We expressed the need for a better setting because last year we were in the open air. But this year we are in an air-conditioned pavilion,’ he appreciated.

The same assessment was made by the writer Hamidou Zonga who said he was satisfied with the literary exhibition framework of this edition.

‘This year, I take my hat off to the organizers. We are in an air-conditioned marquee, which protects us from bad weather. Last year, the rain wet the exhibitors’ documents. Visitors also had difficulty visiting the stands because of the heat. But this year frankly we are very satisfied,’ he declared.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, indicated, Tuesday in New York, that the resolution of the security crisis in Burkina Faso and in the Alliance of Sahel States ( AES), constitutes an obligatory passage for the survival of the entire sub-region.

‘The resolution of the security crisis in Burkina Faso and in the AES is an obligatory step to ensure the very survival of all of West Africa,’ declared the Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré .

The head of Burkinabe diplomacy, during an audience with the Under-Secretary General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding of the United Nations, Ms. Rosemary Anne Dicarlo, presented this Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the situation prevailing in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré explained to the UN diplomat the attitude of the international community towards the war waged by the AES countries against terrorism.

‘The situation we are experiencing is not accurately assessed; it is a neglec
ted crisis when it should concern the whole world. We do not feel listened to and when we are listened to we are not understood,’ he lamented.

Hence Minister Traoré’s appeal to the international community to have a good understanding of the situation in these countries.

Minister Traoré also noted that it was the lack of solidarity from ECOWAS towards countries in crisis which pushed the three States to take responsibility by creating the AES, with a view to pooling their forces to fight terrorism.

Source: Burkina Information Agency

The ministers in charge of Culture of Burkina and Niger were on the site of the communities’ village on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to encourage the Nigerien delegation which is celebrating its day on the occasion of the SNC.

Guest country of honor of the 21st National Culture Week (SNC), Niger is strongly represented at the established community village.

The day of Tuesday, April 30, 2024 was dedicated to this member country of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The ministers in charge of culture from Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, and from Niger, Colonel Major Adourahamane Amadou, traveled to the village of the communities to discover the cultural potential of Niger and provide their support to this community.

‘We were able to appreciate a sample of the rich cultural potential of a brother country, Niger. In culinary matters, we saw the know-how of the Nigeriens. We were able to appreciate the sounds inspired by cultural heritage. It was a very enriching, very pleasant moment,’ suggested
Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo.

He reiterated his gratitude to the Nigerien people and the cultural actors who have honored Burkina Faso by joining the 21st biennial of culture in the country of Men of Integrity.

For Chief M. Ouédraogo, the village of communities constitutes historic moments of communion, brotherhood, and above all expression of cultural proximity between countries.

‘This village alone sums up the whole spirit of the SNC. Beyond Niger, we have several brother countries which are there. It’s Africa in miniature,’ he said.

He recalled that the message underlying this initiative is that no one should divide Africa and that Africans must realize that their salvation comes from their solidarity, their proximity, and their unity.

‘Africans must know that we have a common destiny. This awareness is already effective within the AES. It is a dynamic that is set to take over the entire sub-region, and the whole of Africa,’ he indicated.

As for the Nigerien Minister of Culture, he welco
med the holding of this day dedicated to his country.

A day, he said, offered an opportunity for his people to present their culinary art in all its diversity and the performances of the artists.

Source: Burkina Information Agency