Mot du Président de la SODAF

Dear Colleagues, Dear Partners, Dear Friends,

As every two years, the Société de Dermatologie d’Afrique Francophone (SODAF) will uphold its scientific tradition in 2026. Without your support and participation, this important scientific gathering would not be possible.

Following the 5th Congress held in October 2024 in Yaoundé, Cameroon—the city of seven hills—it is now the city of Ouagadougou, the political capital of Burkina Faso, the Land of Upright People, that has the honor of hosting the 6th SODAF Congress, from September 29 to October 2, 2026.

A distinctive feature of this 6th SODAF Congress is that it will be held jointly with the 9th SOBUDEC Congress, bringing together the driving forces of French-speaking dermatology from across Africa and beyond.

This congress represents a major forum for information sharing, scientific communication, continuing medical education, and professional exchange. Participants will engage in discussions centered on a main theme as well as several subthemes.

I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all the distinguished pioneers of SODAF who paved the way toward academic and scientific excellence. May they feel honored by the efforts being made to carry forward the torch of our organization and uphold its legacy.

For this 6th Congress, the main theme, “Dermatology and Artificial Intelligence,” is highly relevant and of great interest to every healthcare practitioner. We must keep pace with the times and avoid being left behind.

The challenges ahead are considerable, and the stakes are high. In this era of technological innovation, these challenges can only be met with the support of healthcare system partners and the commitment of healthcare professionals in general, and dermatologists in particular.

Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to all SODAF members who entrusted me with the responsibility of leading our organization during this term. My heartfelt thanks and profound appreciation also go to my esteemed predecessors, Professor Adama TRAORE and Professor Mohamed CISSE, for the path they have charted.

I join Professor Nina KORSAGA, President of SOBUDEC, in inviting our partners, general practitioners, specialists (including dermatologists and related specialties), residents, medical students, and allied health professionals to take part in this major scientific gathering and help make this joint SODAF/SOBUDEC Congress a unique and unforgettable event.

You are all invited. We look forward to warmly welcoming you to Ouagadougou. It will be my great pleasure to personally greet each and every one of you there.