Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko visited Burkina Faso to meet with transitional President Ibrahim Traoré. The trip aims to reinforce diplomatic and security cooperation amidst regional instability due to jihadist threats. It’s the second outreach to AES members, indicating a nuanced approach to regional diplomacy.
Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has kicked off an official visit to Burkina Faso, where he received a warm welcome from transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The aim of this trip is to bolster diplomatic ties and enhance security cooperation between Senegal and Burkina Faso, two nations facing similar threats from armed groups.
As reported by the Senegalese Press Agency (APS), Sonko touched down in Ouagadougou with a delegation that included Senegal’s Foreign and Defense Ministers. He engaged in talks with his Burkinabè counterpart, Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, followed by a meeting with President Traoré at the presidential palace, indicating the significance of the discussions.
The visit, according to APS, seeks to deliver political and moral backing to Burkina Faso’s junta government, led by President Traoré since his military coup in 2022. His administration is grappling with increased assaults from militant groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), closely tied to Al-Qaeda and active across the Sahel region.
This meeting is also a reaction to what the Burkinabè junta has called “attempts at external destabilisation,” with specific blame directed toward neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire. Given the respective jihadist threats both nations face, discussions on enhancing security collaboration are expected to be at the forefront.
Interestingly, this marks Sonko’s second diplomatic mission to a member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), following his visit to Mali in August 2024. The AES was formed as a strategic entity to address growing tensions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)—which Senegal is still a part of—indicating the dynamics at play in the region.
Sonko’s engagement here suggests a carefully balanced approach to diplomacy for Senegal, maintaining communication with AES members despite regional disagreements. It reflects the need for cooperation amid escalating security concerns in West Africa, signaling a pragmatic response to regional complexities.
In summary, Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Burkina Faso is a strategic move aimed at strengthening ties and offering support to President Traoré’s transitional government. Amid Jihadist pressures and regional instability, both nations are looking to enhance security cooperation. Sonko’s outreach to Burkina Faso follows his earlier trip to Mali, emphasizing Senegal’s diplomatic engagement within the Alliance of Sahel States, despite its membership in ECOWAS. This visit highlights the nuanced foreign policy approach Senegal is adopting in response to growing threats in West Africa.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
