Ouagadougou: The Provincial Director of Secondary Education and Vocational and Technical Training of Gnagna, Jean Tewende Balima, successfully defended his unique doctoral thesis on six decades of relations between Burkina Faso and the United States on February 26 in Ouagadougou, obtaining the distinction "Very Honorable".

According to Burkina Information Agency, the thesis, entitled "American-Burkinabe relations from 1960 to 2020: from geopolitical issues to development cooperation", analyzes the evolution of diplomatic, political, security, and economic relations between Ouagadougou and Washington. Drawing on archives and interviews, Balima explores the shift from a relationship initially marked by Cold War dynamics to one focused on development aid, governance, and security.

The jury commended the thesis as a significant scientific contribution to understanding Burkina Faso's international relations. Provincial authorities, including the High Commissioner of Gnagna, Jean Baptiste Beogo, and other officials, congratulated Balima, emphasizing the exemplary nature of his career and the critical role of research in informing public policy.