A sociologist and relentless activist, Aboubacar Son is a key player in the defence of human rights and the promotion of social equality in Burkina Faso. As a project manager at Plan International Burkina Faso and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Youth Leadership for Peace and Development, he works tirelessly to give a voice to young people and marginalised communities. As coordinator of the Sahel Activistes Faso initiative, he mobilises young people around causes such as the fight against inequality, the defence of children’s rights and conflict prevention. Through his awareness-raising activities, advocacy campaigns and trainings, Aboubacar Son embodies a generation of visionary leaders dedicated to building a future of peace and justice in the Sahel.

AfricTivistes: Could you tell us what encouraged you to become a committed citizen in Burkina Faso?  

Mr Son: I became aware of injustice and inequality when I was a Masters student in 2007, following a course on Third World development. The Sahel Insight training course on civic engagement organised by Africtivistes further strengthened this awareness and commitment.

What can you tell us about Sahel Activistes in Burkina Faso?

Sahel Activistes Faso is an organisation of young girls and boys from civil society organisations committed to fighting inequality in Burkina Faso using digital tools. 

Sahel Activistes Faso was set up following a capacity-building workshop for young people organised by Africtivistes in partnership with OXFAM and WILDAF West Africa.

What motivated you to join the Sahel Activists community in Burkina Faso?  

The workshop organised in February 2022 by Africtivistes was the catalyst for my involvement in the Sahel Activistes community. This workshop was an introspection of oneself and an analysis of the root causes of inequalities and their negative impact on the lives of human beings in a community.

Where do you focus your involvement (environment, human rights, access to essential basic services, security, etc.)?  

My primary focus is human rights. All the injustices, inequalities, etc., exist because human rights are not being fully respected. 

In addition to this area, there are :

– Fighting corruption

– Access to vital basic services

– Conflict prevention and management

How has your personal or professional background influenced your commitment to promoting equality and social justice in the Sahel?

Contact with different communities in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali that I have met and supported as part of the projects I have run has greatly influenced my commitment. The training I received on inequalities in Africa, and particularly in the Sahel, was also a major contribution.

In order to be effective in this role, I trained in 2024 at the institutes for social protection in the context of conflict and disability and inclusion. 

What are the main challenges you have encountered in your role as project manager at Plan International Burkina Faso?

There are many challenges, including the lack of coordination between civil society organisations in the fight against inequality, the lack of training for those involved and the lack of in-depth studies to identify the signs of injustice and human rights violations.

What is the main mission of Sahel Activistes Faso and why was it important for you to take part in this initiative in 2022?

Having become aware of inequalities and their impact on communities, it is our main mission to combat these inequalities in the Sahel and in Burkina Faso in particular, using digital tools, advocacy campaigns aimed at decision-makers, community awareness-raising and training for our members.

Has the training on the use of digital tools and conflict prevention had a measurable impact in the communities where you work?

Yes, we can say that these trainings have had an impact on us first, and then on the communities. Indeed, after the training sessions, these tools were used in the implementation of two awareness-raising campaigns on social networks that reached thousands of people in Burkina Faso and beyond. Sahel Activistes Faso’s actions have inspired other Sahel activistes in the sub-regions, with whom we have shared our experience.

Can you share a specific example where Sahel Activistes Faso has helped to resolve a conflict or prevent a crisis situation?

We don’t have any specific examples at the moment. However, personally, I was asked by a district chief in a town in Burkina Faso to help assess a land dispute and suggest solutions at the end of November 2024.

Were the campaigns against child marriage and female circumcision carried out by the Sahels activists in Faso met with resistance in any communities? If so, how did you overcome them?

We have not noted any particular resistance from any community to the campaign against child marriage and excision. However, this does not mean that these practices have been completely stopped. 

Although the law specifically prohibits female genital mutilation in Burkina Faso, it is difficult to see a community coming out publicly to challenge the law.

What progress have you observed in improving access to basic social services in the regions where you work?

It would be pretentious to say that we have achieved results in just a few years. In fact, other social players have been ahead of us in improving access to basic social services. Our action has contributed to the results we are seeing today, with the government’s commitment to ensuring people’s safety, the reopening of closed schools, and improved access to and quality of healthcare in Burkina. 

What strategies do you use to involve local communities, particularly traditional and religious leaders, in your awareness-raising efforts?

We use community mobilisation and a participatory approach, helping them to identify problems and determine local solutions.

What role do you think young people in Burkina Faso can play in the fight against corruption and the promotion of human rights?

The young people of Burkina Faso can develop a culture of denouncing corruption, citizenship education activities, training and the creation of clean, uncompromised wealth.

What advice would you give to young people who want to get involved in initiatives similar to yours?

They need to learn to live within their means and accept that wealth can only be obtained through hard work and the expertise we develop in our field of training.

What are your long-term plans for Sahel Activistes Faso?

In the long term, we hope to see Sahel Activistes Faso build on its experience and expertise in the above-mentioned areas and forge strategic partnerships to become an organisation that influences policies and programmes in Burkina Faso in particular and the Sahel in general.

What are your greatest hopes for Burkina Faso in the years ahead?

My greatest hope for Burkina Faso is that security will be re-established in all its regions so that children can go back to school peacefully, young people can train to set up production and processing businesses and adults can contribute to economic and social development.

What would you say to people who are still reluctant to get involved in humanitarian or social causes?

Involvement in humanitarian and social causes is a noble mission for every human being. There is a moral satisfaction in seeing our actions produce effects, positive changes in the lives of communities, young people and children.

By Ndeye Fatou Diouf, Digital Content Manager at AfricTivistes