Former presidential candidate and ex-Minister of Economics and Finance Dr. Zephrine Diabré sent a Happy New Year message to the world on Sunday, wishing everyone a “happy and prosperous” 2024.
In a short statement written in both French and English and copied to bissanewsonline.com, the experienced politician of international repute joined the list of prominent personalities across the continent who are sharing messages of hope with their people.
“All my best wishes for a very happy and prosperous New Year 2024,” said Diabré.
The New Year’s message from the veteran Bissa politician provided a moment to reflect on his long career serving Burkina Faso and the world.
Diabré was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1992 under the Organisation for Popular Democracy – Labour Movement (ODP–MT) banner, before giving up his seat to serve as Minister of Trade, Industry and Mines that same year.
From 1996–1997, he was President of Burkina Faso’s Economic and Social Council. He later parted ways with the Congress for Democracy and Progress party he had helped create, following policy disagreements.
His career then took him abroad, first as a researcher at Harvard University in the United States. He went on to become Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and then served as Africa and Middle East director for the French energy company AREVA.
In 2010, Diabré returned to Burkinabe politics as a founding member of the opposition Union for Progress and Reform (UPC) party. He was the UPC presidential candidate in 2015, finishing second to Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. In 2020, he was again chosen as the UPC flagbearer for the presidential election.
Story by Abdul Malik Guerm
You can follow the writer on Twitter/Instagram/Tiktok @malikalmaestro