African union urges Burkina Faso to fast-track democratic transition

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 visit to Burkina Faso’s capital, the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, met with Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo and Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré. Notably, no meeting took place with the transitional president, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Following these discussions, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf emphasized that despite Burkina Faso’s suspension from the AU’s political bodies following the coup, the organization remains committed to engaging with the transitional authorities. He also reiterated the AU’s support for the country’s counterterrorism efforts and its dedication to continuing ongoing development programs.

The AU official underscored the need to advance the political process, stressing that the transition should pave the way for the restoration of political parties, the reopening of democratic space, and the organization of elections to restore constitutional order.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also advocated for stronger ties between Burkina Faso and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which the country exited in January 2025 alongside Mali and Niger to form the Sahel States Confederation (AES). He called for enhanced cooperation between regional organizations to address shared challenges.

In a statement, the AU reaffirmed its commitment to Burkina Faso’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It also noted that the Burkinabè Prime Minister had renewed his government’s support for the AU’s institutional reforms and its goal of strengthening financial autonomy.

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