Ouagadougou: “You find a part of yourself again,” declared Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traor© to people of African descent who recently arrived in Burkina Faso. The Foreign Minister emphasized that their presence in Ouagadougou represents a significant message: the renewal of a historical bond that, despite being challenged by history, remains resilient in the hearts of many.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Traor© conveyed that for Afro-descendants, stepping onto the soil of Faso is more than just a visit to another country. “You are rediscovering a part of yourselves. You are picking up the thread of an interrupted history, that of our ancestors united by memory, suffering, and pride,” he remarked. Minister Traor© highlighted the vision of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, stating that this return is not merely emotional or symbolic, but also a duty of remembrance and an act of spiritual sovereignty.
“The President of Faso sees in the African diaspora an essential pillar of renewed Pan-Africanism, one that must unite the dispersed sons of the same people around a common mission, the reconquest of our dignity and our collective destiny,” affirmed the Minister.
The address took place during the inaugural conference marking the official visit of Afro-descendants to Burkina Faso, organized by the Institute for the Development of the African Diaspora (ADDI). Minister Traor© also acknowledged the choice of Burkina Faso by these Afro-descendants due to the nation’s commitment to independence, balanced cooperation, and the development of an African model grounded in intrinsic values and resources.
According to the president of the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI), Arikana Chihombori, their visit to Burkina Faso was inspired by President Ibrahim Traor©’s embodiment of the aspirations of black people worldwide. “We want our freedom, and Captain Ibrahim Traor© is the symbol of this freedom and this deliverance. By our presence, we want to express our love and solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso, a symbol of dignity and resistance,” she expressed.
ADDI President Chihombori further mentioned that people of African descent hold high regard for the Burkinabe people, appreciating their courage and determination. “You have shown the way, proven that Africa can stand up, defend itself, and succeed on its own. That is why we came: to express our admiration, respect, and deep attachment to you,” she added.
The inaugural conference, themed “Africa before Colonization: Precolonial Glory and Cultural Destruction,” signals the start of the Afro-descendants’ visit to the Land of Upright Men, which will continue until November 8, 2025.