Ouagadougou: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe Abroad, HE Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE, met with Leonardo Santos SIMO, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel. The meeting, held on May 24, 2025, focused on the current situation in Burkina Faso and the broader region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Leonardo Santos SIMO expressed his understanding of Burkina Faso's situation and commended the Burkinabe authorities for their efforts in addressing ongoing challenges. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to combating terrorism, urging for collective efforts to not only fight but also defeat terrorism, thereby establishing peace and stability in the region. SIMO reiterated the UN's commitment to supporting Burkina Faso's development initiatives.
On a regional level, the UN representative lauded the outcomes of a recent meeting between the Heads of Diplomacy of the AES and the President of the ECOWAS Commission in Bamako. He recognized the meeting as a significant step towards safeguarding regional integration achievements.
HE Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the Burkinabe government and the United Nations. He highlighted the sincerity and openness of this partnership, especially in addressing the country's priorities. TRAORE also conveyed gratitude for the UN's support in enhancing population resilience and providing humanitarian assistance, stressing the importance of emergency aid to enable populations to become self-sufficient.
The Foreign Affairs Minister further urged the United Nations to help reshape global perceptions of the Sahel's situation. He emphasized the need for major powers to pay equal attention to the Sahel crisis as they do to other global regions in turmoil. TRAORE noted the fruitful discussions during the AES-ECOWAS meeting, highlighting a growing awareness within ECOWAS regarding security issues that extend beyond the AES countries. He expressed optimism about a productive partnership between the two organizations, driven by the overarching interest of the sub-region's people.