Movement of animals is prohibited in urban areas. Despite this, the phenomenon continues to grow in the town of Bobo-Dioulasso. Look at some roads in the city.
In Burkina Faso, law number 022 of 2005 prohibits stray animals in cities. However, the decisions in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso show that the law is not respected. In fact, in several areas of the city, people and animals (stag) travel together on some main roads. Worse, these animals often block traffic for users. At this time, passers-by must wait for the animals to pass before continuing on the path. The most recent sighting was made on Tuesday September 10, 2024 on the street that leads to Nasso passing by the airport wall. There, the oxen that were driven by a shepherd around 8 o’clock, stormed the road. Some users had to give way to animals to preserve their lives. The same comment was made on Tuesday September 3, 2024 on a road leading to the Bobo fruit and vegetable market. That day, the oxen were crossing the road while the people were under heavy traffic.
Animal travel, as everyone knows, has several negative consequences, especially related to road traffic. In fact, it can cause serious accidents that may lead to the loss of life of some users. With this phenomenon, citizens are asked to take their responsibilities and keep animals at home, or look for a farm outside the city to breed them. As for pets, they must be tied or housed. Despite the efforts of municipal authorities and competent services in the area, the phenomenon continues.
“Despite everything, the phenomenon continues”
To find out more about the actions taken by the municipal authority, we met with municipal police administrator Séraphin Sanon, head of the hygiene and concerns department at the Bobo-Dioulasso municipal police department. For him, “the removal of animals is strictly prohibited by law in Burkina. In the period between January and August 2024, the city police caught almost 1,000 heads of animals wandering around the city. These animals were taken to the pound until the owners came and paid to regain possession of their animals.” “Despite this, the phenomenon continues.” And to the city police administrator to reassure that operations on the ground to capture any animal that enters the city continue. “Every week, our elements go to -out to the field. Even today (September 10, 2024: editor’s note), they are on a mission with the goal of removing all criminals,” said Séraphin Sanon.
Ben Alassane DAO
Annïsse PAKOTOGO
