Ouagadougou:Burkina Faso and the United States of America inaugurated a Joint Working Group on Thursday, October 8, 2026, in Ouagadougou. This initiative aims to enhance dialogue and identify areas for mutually beneficial cooperation while respecting the sovereignty and common interests of both nations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the inaugural session was co-chaired by Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, the Burkinabe Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Richard Michaels, the Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa of the U.S. State Department. The new dialogue mechanism seeks to provide fresh perspectives on the partnership between Ouagadougou and Washington, allowing experts from both countries to explore cooperation opportunities and propose shared solutions.

Richard Michaels, during his first visit to Burkina Faso, expressed that the Working Group serves as a forum to revamp bilateral relations based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and common interests. He commended the Burkinabe authorities for their openness and willingness to engage in revitalizing cooperation with the United States.

Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré emphasized that this framework marks a significant step in the relations between the two countries. He highlighted the shared desire to establish new foundations for cooperation through open and honest dialogue to identify challenges and develop joint solutions. He also noted that this dialogue framework could help reconfigure relations not only with Burkina Faso but also with the Confederation of Sahel States, ensuring a cooperation where both entities feel appreciated.

Prior to the inaugural session, Richard Michaels, accompanied by the United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Joann Lockard, met with the head of Burkinabe diplomacy. A broader consultation followed, involving the Minister of State, Minister of War and Patriotic Defence, Célestin Simporé.