On Monday, April 20, 2026, the President of Burundi and current Chairperson of the African Union, General Évariste Ndayishimiye, toured several key infrastructure sites in Ouagadougou, including a paving stone production facility managed by the Faso Mêbo Agency and the Thomas Sankara Boulevard.
During the visit, he praised Burkina Faso’s community-based development model, describing the citizen-driven engagement as an inspiring and instructive example of national unity. President Ndayishimiye expressed his admiration for the vision of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, noting that the program’s ability to mobilize the population for self-reliant growth serves as a powerful blueprint for other African nations.
While reflecting on similar initiatives in Burundi known as “community development works,” which have produced schools, health centers, and stadiums, the AU Chairperson noted that he was particularly impressed by the sophisticated level of organization within the Burkinabè system. He emphasized that peace is fundamentally built through shared projects and encouraged the people of Burkina Faso to maintain their momentum. To further this cooperation, Ndayishimiye announced that a Burundian delegation would soon be dispatched to Ouagadougou to conduct a detailed study of the Faso Mêbo Agency’s operational framework and community mobilization techniques.
Commander Zoodnoma Ahmed Sakandé, Director-General of the Faso Mêbo Agency, welcomed the high-level visit as a significant honor, explaining that the agency’s success stems from a collective commitment by citizens to participate directly in the nation’s construction. This tour of socioeconomic infrastructure formed a central part of the AU Chairperson’s official stay, providing a practical backdrop to broader high-stakes discussions with national authorities regarding governance, regional security, and the future of sustainable development in the Sahel.
HO/te/Sf/lb/abj/APA