Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, arrived in Burkina Faso on 14 July. This working visit was announced by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At the airport, Youssouf was greeted by Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Addis Ababa, Elysée Ouedraogo, was also present.
During the reception, Youssouf explained that his first trip to Burkina Faso reflects the African Union’s wish to reinforce solidarity among its members. It aims to tackle common challenges on the continent more efficiently.
“Burkina Faso is a member state of the African Union and one of the founding members of the Organisation of African Unity (the predecessor of the AU — ‘OAU’), therefore I believe that the chairperson of the Commission has a duty to consult and co-operate with the government, as well as to explore opportunities for resolving a number of common challenges on the continent through solidarity and partnership,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Burkina Faso quoted the chairperson of the AU Commission as saying.
The programme includes discussions with Burkinabe authorities. These talks aim to strengthen ties between the African Union and Ouagadougou.
Earlier in July, Youssouf met Mali’s transitional president Assimi Goïta in Bamako. They discussed combatting terrorism in the Sahel. They also reviewed cooperation between the African Union and Mali.
In February, Mamadou Tangara, head of the African Union mission in the Sahel, spoke with Burkina Faso’s foreign minister. Tangara stated that the organization would adopt a fresh approach toward the Alliance of Sahel States. This alliance includes Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
