Burkina Faso has called for changes to the way the United Nations engages with the Sahel, urging the organisation to better reflect the region’s political and security realities.
Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré made the remarks on Thursday during talks with Sahle-Work Zewde, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy, who is visiting Burkina Faso as part of a strategic review of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS).
Traoré said UN agencies should rely more on information from local actors and improve coordination with governments in the region. He argued that inaccurate assessments could lead to ineffective policies and called for reforms to the UN’s approach to African states.
The minister also defended the military-led governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, saying their priority was to improve security rather than organise elections. The three countries have strengthened their cooperation through the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
Traoré urged the UN to recognise what he described as progress achieved by the AES countries through their own initiatives. He said international partners did not have to praise the governments, but should provide an accurate account of developments in the region.
Sahle-Work said the findings of her mission would contribute to discussions by the UN Security Council on the future of UN engagement in West Africa and the Sahel.
