A Tribute to Dr. Souleymane Zeba

It is with heavy hearts that we honor and say goodbye to Dr. Souleymane Zeba, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fondation des Amis de la Nature (NATURAMA) – BirdLife Partner in Burkina Faso, who passed away on October 13 2024.

Souleymane was a highly respected and dedicated advocate for the environment, who made conservation in Burkina Faso   truly a national pursuit, as part of the country’s sustainable development for over 40 years. His personality brought many a smile to all who knew him. Souleymane’s blend of skills was unique, and his passing is a terrible blow to conservation in Burkina Faso, and indeed Africa.

A trained ecologist and forest engineer, he was widely known, having founded NATURAMA in 1991. He had extensive national, regional and international experience including as National Director of Forests and Wildlife in the Burkina Faso’s Ministries of Environment. He also held roles with WWF, Oxfam, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Souleymane has left an indelible mark in Burkinabe’s conservation sphere, Idrissa Zeba, Director of Conservation at NATURAMA notes:

“For 33 years, Dr. Zeba dedicated his life up to the very end, to building NATURAMA. He worked tirelessly to shape the vision of the organization as the Founder and the Chair of its board, establishing a network of 42 nature clubs across 45 provinces in the country.  He stood as a pillar of conservation not only at home but also abroad and particularly within the BirdLife Africa Partnership in which he was very active. He served as the Council for the Africa Partnership (CAP ) Chair in 1999, he had also wanted to be part of the CAP 2024. He served on boards of the COPs and at higher levels on global environmental conventions.  He is not with us anymore but has left behind a legacy of leadership and commitment to conservation in Burkina Faso and beyond.”

Having worked closely with  Souleymane,  Luitzen Santman from Vogelbescherming Netherlands (VBN) remembers him:

“For over 20 years Dr Souleymane Zeba has played an important role in the relationship between NATURAMA and Vogelbescherming Netherlands (VBN). Dr Zeba’s continuous efforts for conservation in Burkina Faso have reached far beyond, we will remember Souleymane as an inspiring professional who has connected and encouraged so many of us. His legacy will live on through the people, biodiversity and birds he contributed to.”

Souleymane was instrumental in contributing to the efforts of the BirdLife Partnership in Africa, Dr. Kariuki Ndang’ang’a, Regional Director for Africa at BirdLife International remembers him:

‘‘Souleymane was a pillar of BirdLife, especially in Burkina Faso and West Africa region as whole. His ever-jovial nature, humor and passion for nature will be missed. His influence, and expertise over the decades leaves a strong imprint on conservation in Burkina Faso and Africa.

The conservation movement in Africa has suffered a great loss, but Souleymane’s love for nature legacy will live on, remembered through the landscapes he helped protect. Soar with the eagles Souleymane, you will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.