Burkina Faso urged to speed up political transition by African Union

The African Union (AU) has urged Burkinabè authorities to expedite the return to constitutional order by holding elections and reopening the political space, while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining dialogue with Ouagadougou and supporting the country in its fight against terrorism.

During a working visit to Burkina Faso’s capital, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, held meetings with Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo and Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Notably, no encounter was scheduled with the transitional leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Following the discussions, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized that despite Burkina Faso’s suspension from the AU’s political bodies following last year’s coup, the organization remains dedicated to engaging with the transitional authorities. He also underscored the AU’s backing for the country’s counterterrorism efforts and its determination to advance ongoing development initiatives.

Central to the talks was the urgency of advancing the political transition. The AU official stressed that the process should culminate in the reinstatement of political parties, the reopening of democratic space, and the organization of elections to restore constitutional governance.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf further advocated for strengthened cooperation between Burkina Faso and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which the country left in early 2025 alongside Mali and Niger before forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). He called for enhanced collaboration among regional bodies to tackle shared challenges.

The AU’s statement reiterated its support for Burkina Faso’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It also highlighted that the Burkinabè Prime Minister had reaffirmed his government’s backing for the AU’s institutional reforms and its goal of boosting financial autonomy.

This visit was part of a regional tour by the AU Commission Chair, who had previously met with transitional leaders in Mali.