Burkina Faso hosts Sufi congress and AES panel in Ouagadougou to boost peace and development

On 18 July 2026, Ouagadougou was the venue for two major gatherings aimed at fostering stability in Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region. The International Community of Sufis (CIS) held its first extraordinary congress under the patronage of Minister of State Emile Zerbo. The event, themed “My neighbor is not my enemy!”, promoted social cohesion, tolerance and solidarity, and its spiritual guide Cheick Soufi Moaze called for prayers for the security forces and emphasized the role of religious communities in counter‑extremism.

The same day, the Rassemblement des Intelligences pour la Souveraineté de l’Afrique (RISA) opened the third International AES Panel. Organized under the theme “Confederation of the AES: how to consolidate the achievements?”, the panel brought together experts and officials to review progress of the Sahel States Confederation since its 2024 creation, covering security gains and development initiatives such as agro‑pastoral programmes and food‑security measures. Coordinators highlighted the need for continued communication, sovereignty building and support for local producers.