Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko visits Burkina Faso, meeting with President Traoré to discuss security cooperation and offer support to the junta government. The visit comes amid regional instability and escalating threats from armed groups. Sonko’s prior outreach to Mali emphasizes Senegal’s diplomatic strategy in navigating alliances in West Africa.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko of Senegal is currently on an official visit to Burkina Faso, where he was graciously welcomed by transitional President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. This visit highlights ongoing efforts to bolster diplomatic and security ties between the two nations in West Africa, amid a challenging backdrop of regional instability.
The Senegalese Press Agency (APS) reported Sonko’s arrival in Ouagadougou with a delegation that included key officials like the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense. During his stay, Sonko engaged in discussions with his Burkinabè counterpart, Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, before meeting with President Traoré at the presidential palace, indicating the significance of their conversations.
This trip aims to extend “political and moral support” to the junta-led government of Burkina Faso, which has been in place since a military coup in 2022. President Traoré’s administration is grappling with a surge in violence from armed groups, notably those tied to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-affiliated coalition known for its operations in the wider Sahel region.
The discussions between Sonko and Traoré also emerge as a response to perceived “attempts at external destabilisation,” particularly from Côte d’Ivoire, according to the junta. With both nations facing similar challenges from jihadist threats, there is a clear expectation that security cooperation will deepen as a result of this meeting.
This engagement marks Prime Minister Sonko’s second diplomatic visit to a member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. His prior visit to Mali took place in August 2024. The AES was formed as a strategic response to rising tensions with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which Senegal is a member, illustrating the complex diplomatic landscape in the region.
Sonko’s visit represents Senegal’s strategic approach to diplomacy, characterized by a willingness to engage with AES nations despite differing positions within regional alliances, signaling a commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration in West Africa.
In summary, Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Burkina Faso underscores a commitment to enhancing diplomatic and security relations amid regional challenges. By offering support to President Traoré’s transitional government, Sonko demonstrates Senegal’s strategic approach to maintaining connections within the Alliance of Sahel States. As both nations confront the threat of armed groups, they appear poised to strengthen their collaboration moving forward.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
