Burkina Faso Regional Program (BFRP): Mobilizing Community Leaders in Sahel

This led to a rise in attacks on civilians, abductions, and targeted assassinations of local leaders and representatives of the state. The resulting rift between ethnic groups further exacerbated insecurity in the region. In response to the complex situation, USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) Burkina Faso Regional Program (BFRP) adapted to the fluid context and brought community leaders together to discuss issues facing their communities. BFRP gathered participants outside of their commune to ensure they felt free to openly discuss violent extremism and identify solutions to counter the influence of terrorist groups in their communities. A local community association organized a three-day Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) training in August 2019, which taught leaders to develop messages on peace and the negative consequences of social exclusion and marginalization. The CVE training was followed by the use of radio programming as a safe and popular means for leaders to raise awareness in their communities. BFRP partnered with a local organization to use radio programming to engage leaders by recording messages of peace for broadcasting. These messages showcased leaders discussing the importance of drawing on traditional values to find lasting conflict resolution and counter youth radicalization. In communities with limited access to news and information, these messages were especially important. One community leader who participated in the awareness campaign emphasized the importance of her voice due to her role as head of a women's leadership group in the region. She acknowledged the usefulness of standing together against sources of division amongst community members and emphasized the need to preserve harmony and mutual understanding. The community leader's message highlighted the importance of traditional values in promoting peace and dialogue between communities. BFRP successfully mobilized local leaders to safer locations to conduct their activities, despite initial accessibility problems that led the project to pause activities in the region. These community leaders are now better able to raise awareness on violent extremism, act as facilitators in dispute settlements, and foster a more stable society. The program's efforts have contributed to a more stable and secure environment in the Sahel region, where community leaders are empowered to promote peace and counter the influence of terrorist groups.