Senegal Pledges Full Support to Burkina Faso in Fight Against Terrorism

The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has pledged his country’s full support to Burkina Faso in its ongoing battle against terrorism during a two-day working visit to Ouagadougou.

Sonko arrived Friday afternoon and was received by Burkinabe President Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Their meeting focused on regional security challenges and cooperation prospects between the West African nations.

“I have come to convey a message of absolute support to President Ibrahim Traoré, his government and all the people of Burkina Faso, in their fight against terrorism,” Sonko stated. He added that Senegal is open to “all possibilities of collaboration and support” to help counter the threat.

“It is illusory to believe that the security threat will stop at the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger. This is a struggle across West Africa. No country in the sub-region will be spared from this gangrene if it continues to spread,” he further stated, warning that the growing insecurity in the Sahel cannot be viewed in isolation.

His Burkinabe counterpart, Rimtalba Ouédraogo, accompanied Sonko. The visit also includes his participation in the inauguration of the Thomas Sankara Mausoleum on Saturday, which he described as a tribute to a great and worthy son of Africa and a symbol of pan-Africanist and sovereigntist struggles.

The visit takes place amid ongoing shifts in regional dynamics, including the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, members of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSS), from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) earlier this year.

Sonko’s trip follows earlier engagements aimed at fostering regional stability. In 2024, he visited Mali and assured that Senegal would not be used to destabilise its neighbours.

President Bassirou Faye, who assumed office in 2024, has reiterated Senegal’s commitment to mediation between ECOWAS and the CSS while respecting the sovereignty of each member state.

About The Author

Joy Chukwu

author

See author's posts