The book “Kaya,” by Burkinabè writer Boukaré Bara, was officially launched on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Ouagadougou, in the presence of civil society representatives, journalists, and readers. This 135-page book recounts one of the most significant events in Burkina Faso’s recent history: the blocking of a French military convoy by the people of Kaya, which was en route to Niger.
Boukaré Bara, a Burkinabe living in Germany and president of the association La Passerelle, presents his work as a book of resistance, memory and collective awareness.
" The book is primarily aimed at Burkinabe and Africans, because it is a book of resistance. Today, everyone must know who they are on, because those who do not understand geostrategy risk disappearing ," he explained.
Through this account, the author highlights the heroic actions of the people of Kaya. According to him, these citizens confronted a heavily armed convoy with rudimentary means. " With their stones, their pebbles, their women, and their determination, they resisted. It wasn’t just Kaya, it was all of Burkina Faso that resisted ," asserts Boukaré Bara.
For the author, writing “Kaya” also fulfills a need for collective memory. " We don’t place enough emphasis on our heroes. Elsewhere, heroic acts are taught and valued. Here, that’s not always the case. I wrote this book so that tomorrow, others won’t write our history for us ," he stated.
In his preface to the book, Nestor Podassé, national coordinator of the Planet of Pan-African Youth, said he was motivated by the desire to immortalize a lived experience.
“ We demonstrated to demand the departure of the French army. We were gassed, imprisoned, some escaped death attempts. Retracing this history is to leave a useful testimony for our children and grandchildren ,” he confided.
As a field actor during the mobilizations, Nestor Podassé also revisited the role of blocking convoys in the departure of the French army from Burkina Faso.
“ At first, many people thought we were joking. The blockade started in Bobo-Dioulasso, then Ouagadougou, before being reinforced in Kaya. That’s where the spark ignited in the hearts of many Burkinabe ,” he stressed.
He recalls that this struggle had a significant human cost. " In Kaya, five comrades were wounded by gunfire. In Téra, Niger, there were several dead and wounded, and the young leader who had coordinated the blockade was later assassinated. That is why it is important to immortalize this event ," he insists.
Available in French, German, and Russian, “Kaya” is sold for 5,000 FCFA per copy, notably at the Mercury bookstore, the Thomas Sankara Memorial, and on Amazon. An audio version in Mooré is already available, while translations into national and international languages are underway. A film adaptation of the novel has also been announced.
Beyond the book, Boukaré Bara is leading a cultural promotion effort by creating and distributing maps showcasing different cities and attractions of Burkina Faso, aiming to project a positive image of the country internationally. " Come and discover Burkina Faso. Kaya is not just about resistance; it’s also about culture, weaving, and gastronomy ," the author suggested.