Emotions are still high in Burkina Faso, following the attack on Wednesday, August 18, which left 80 victims, 65 civilians and 15 gendarmes in the north of the country. The story of a 19-year-old young man, Ganaba Ib, particularly touched the country and became the face of the victims of this attack, he visited his cousin in Djibo, then Dori and used the convoy escorted by the army. to visit his family in Arbinda. Its history has greatly affected Burkinabè Internet users.
“He studied in Kongoussi and he had been with me for a few days. He wanted to see the large family in Arbinda, and since the road is not safe, travelers are forced to wait for the army convoy before taking the road. So he stayed home for a week. It was only on Thursday that they could leave with the convoy. He kept me informed throughout the trip until I could no longer reach him. This is Seydou Ganaba’s very touching testimony about his cousin Ganaba Ib, whom he also calls his ‘brother’.
His name has been circulating online in Burkina Faso since Wednesday’s attack that killed 80 people. He was called Boureima Ganaba, known as Ganaba Ib, and he is one of the few faces of the victims of this attack. A face known for the social networks he used to publish his moods, in particular the country’s news and especially the grief of people who were forced to leave their country to escape terrorism.
It is thanks to this presence in these digital spaces that he got to know virtual friends, who have since become relatives. One of them, Lassane Zongo, describes it in these terms: “This young man was very exceptional, he is such a person that you do not regret knowing. So benevolent, so respectful. He was talented and intelligent. The other thing I really liked [chez lui]is humility. Whenever he published, he signed with all humility. “
Dream of journalism As a 19-year-old, Ganaba Ib had just graduated and he dreamed of becoming a journalist. “When he graduated from high school, I asked him what he wanted to do, he told me he wanted to study journalism,” Lassane Zongo testified. “He only talked about journalism, and even when he watched TV it was for the newspaper. He also told about the journalists he knows “, adds Seydou Ganaba.
With his eyes turned to this profession, he had written his outlet. Several members of his family had fled the insecurity to settle in Arbinda. It is this uncertainty that he sometimes recounted in these writings. On Facebook, he published a text about the situation of displaced people a few days ago. A moving text entitled “I am a free man: chronicle of a man affected by insecurity”.
And you could read: “I am a farmer without a field. I’m a breeder without animals. I’m a merchant without goods. I’m a student without a school. I’m a Burkinabé homeless citizen. I’m a man who can ‘t say anything. I’m just listening.
The feeling of Burkinabè internet users What is particularly disturbing is that he stops like this: “I am waiting for the day that God will choose so that I am lifeless. I’m a free man. Free in my prison. In all humility. Words that reason today as a premonition. This triggered a wave of reactions on social networks from anonymous people or people who knew him. Internet users, moved, pay tribute to him by sharing his text and publishing a few words in his memory.
“Tragic end to a young man affected by insecurity”, writes an internet user. “His name was Ganaba Ib. He died for what makes us live,” said another. “Rest in peace, you have joined the kingdom of heaven, but your writings will serve us better,” publishes another Internet user.
The story of Ganaba Ib is also the one about so many other victims who saw their dreams shattered.
► To read also: Burkina Faso: national mourning for three days after the deadly attack on a convoy
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