African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf has called on Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities to reopen political space, organize elections and improve relations between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Youssouf made the appeal during a working visit to Ouagadougou on Thursday, July 16, after an earlier stop in Bamako as part of his regional tour.
AU seeks renewed engagement
The AU Commission chief said the continental body remains committed to maintaining dialogue with Burkina Faso, despite the country’s suspension from the African Union’s political activities following the January 2022 military coup. « The Commission’s position is not to break dialogue, » Youssouf said, describing his visit as a sign of the AU’s renewed engagement with the country.
Following talks with Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, he expressed hope that Burkina Faso’s ongoing political transition would lead to the reopening of political space, the return of political parties and the organization of democratic elections.
Call for stronger regional cooperation
On security, Youssouf stressed that terrorism remains a continental challenge requiring a collective African response. He urged Burkina Faso and its partners in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to improve relations with ECOWAS, despite the bloc’s withdrawal by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in January 2024.
The AU Commission Chairperson also called for the revival of the Nouakchott Process, a security cooperation framework launched by the African Union in 2013 to strengthen intelligence sharing and coordination across the Sahel-Saharan region.
Burkina Faso urges greater AU support
For his part, Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo argued that the African Union’s vision of continental unity has gradually weakened because of what he described as insufficient solidarity with countries facing major security threats. He said the peoples of the Sahel, who continue to battle terrorism, expect more concrete support from the continental organization.
The visit highlights ongoing efforts by the African Union to maintain dialogue with military-led governments in the Sahel while encouraging a return to constitutional order and stronger regional cooperation on security.
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