Gambiaj.com – (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) – President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso received a message of solidarity from Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as conveyed by Professor Abdoulaye Bathily, Faye’s special envoy for sub-regional and international issues. The visit, held Thursday, October 10, 2024, emphasized Senegal’s support amid Burkina Faso’s escalating security crisis and urged stronger collaboration within West Africa.
Appointed in July 2024, Professor Bathily has taken on a role to mediate regional stability on behalf of President Faye, who has been advocating for Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger’s reintegration into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). However, his efforts emphasize a “soft” peacemaking approach that prioritizes respect for each state’s sovereignty while encouraging the region’s military-led governments toward dialogue and cooperation.
Bathily conveyed President Faye’s solidarity and concern for Burkina Faso’s people, who are facing increasing threats from terrorist activities. “This message concerns the expression of solidarity of President Diomaye Faye, his government, and the Senegalese people towards the people of Burkina Faso in the current circumstances marked by terrorist attacks,” Bathily affirmed. His remarks underscored Senegal’s commitment to strengthening regional resilience.
In his address, Bathily reflected on the aspirations of the Sahel region’s people, who he described as seeking “unity, development, progress, and security” but currently facing severe challenges to these goals. “When we see the spectacle today of what is happening in this region, we are deeply distressed,” he said, calling for unity, solidarity, and the combined efforts of regional states to combat these mounting security threats.
The meeting also addressed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation formed by Sahelian states with shared security and economic interests. Bathily expressed support for the alliance, describing it as a positive step towards achieving “economic emancipation, political emancipation, leading to the progress of our peoples.” He emphasized the necessity of leveraging such collaborations to drive forward strategic objectives that foster economic and political resilience.
Despite Faye’s commitment to unity and engagement, recent actions by Mali and Burkina Faso reflect a continued resistance to rejoining ECOWAS. Both countries extended their transitional governments earlier this year, maintaining a stance that has complicated regional reintegration efforts.
Bathily’s visit marks a significant diplomatic engagement as the region navigates both internal and collective security concerns, with Senegal aiming to support greater unity and collaborative progress among West African states.
