The second international colloquium on discourse analysis kicked off on September 24, 2026, at the University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event, organized by the Observatory of Production and Analysis of Discourse (OPAD), brings together students, researchers, and teachers to discuss the theme "Repenser l'analyse du discours à partir des théories et épistémologies africaines: enjeux endogènes, postcoloniaux et scientifiques" (Rethinking discourse analysis from African theories and epistemologies: endogenous, postcolonial, and scientific issues).
According to Boukary Nébié, president of the colloquium's steering committee, the question of sovereignty is central to the discussions. He emphasizes that sovereignty goes beyond political and economic dimensions, also concerning research and higher education, which must produce knowledge to inform societal choices. Nébié highlights the need for researchers and teachers to question and illuminate these issues, which is where the OPAD aims to contribute.
The colloquium features various activities, including oral presentations, thematic conferences, a scientific café, and a visit to discover Burkina Faso's tourist heritage. Dr. Alain Tiga Ouédraogo, representing the Minister of Higher Education, stresses that the event aims to reflect on Africa's capacity to produce its own knowledge, valorizing local experiences, languages, traditions, and know-how. He encourages the sharing of African perspectives to enrich universal science.
The event has attracted participants from several countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Cameroon, Benin, Niger, Mali, and Togo. Hilaire Bowie, a researcher from Côte d'Ivoire, notes that current methods inherited from Western practices have limitations when applied to African realities. He calls for renewed approaches and paradigms to better understand African communication realities.
Professor Sidiki Traoré, president of the scientific committee, reports that 107 communications were initially scheduled, but 93 will be presented over the two-day event due to some withdrawals. The colloquium is under the patronage of Me Apollinaire Joachimson Kyelem de Tambela, former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso. The discussions aim to promote endogenous knowledge and strengthen Africa's scientific and intellectual sovereignty.
The second international colloquium on discourse analysis will continue until September 26, 2026, with a focus on valuing African epistemologies and producing knowledge relevant to the continent's challenges. The event provides a platform for scholars to share research and reflect on the role of discourse analysis in understanding African contexts.
Key points
- The colloquium focuses on rethinking discourse analysis from African theories and epistemologies.
- The event aims to promote endogenous knowledge and strengthen Africa's scientific and intellectual sovereignty.
- The discussions bring together scholars from various African countries to share research and reflect on the role of discourse analysis in understanding African contexts.
