The African Union has called on the Burkina Faso government to accelerate its transition to democracy by organizing elections and reopening political space. The union reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining dialogue with Ouagadougou and supporting the country in its fight against terrorism.
During a visit to Ouagadougou, African Union Commission President Mahmoud Ali Youssouf met with Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo and Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. However, no meeting was held with transition President Ibrahim Traoré.
After the meetings, Youssouf reminded that despite Burkina Faso’s suspension from African Union political institutions following a coup, the union remains committed to dialogue with the country’s authorities. He also reaffirmed the organization’s support for efforts to combat terrorism and continue development programs.
The president emphasized the need to evolve the political process. According to him, the transition should lead to the restoration of political parties, reopening of democratic space, and organized elections that would restore constitutional order.
Youssouf also advocated for reconciliation between Burkina Faso and the West African Economic Community (CEDEAO), which the country left in January 2025 with Mali and Niger before forming the Sahel States Confederation (AES). He called for strengthened cooperation among regional organizations to address common challenges.
In a statement, the African Union reaffirmed its commitment to Burkina Faso’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It also indicated that Prime Minister Ouédraogo had renewed his government’s support for reforming African Union institutions and achieving greater autonomy financially.
This visit was part of the African Union Commission President’s regional tour, which included a previous visit to Mali to meet with transition authorities.
