Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister Karamoko Traoré has called for deeper economic, security and development cooperation between Nigeria and his country, describing Nigeria as a “natural partner” and major African player.
Speaking at the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence anniversary, Traoré said relations between both countries has gone beyond official diplomacy to deep people-to-people connections spanning families, businesses, universities and communities.
Represented by his Permanent Secretary, Hermann Yirigouin, the Foreign Minister said “Between Burkina Faso and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, brotherhood is a reality experienced daily by our people. Our responsibility now is to transform this brotherhood into concrete results.
“Friendship between states reaches its full potential when it supports production, facilitates trade, opens up opportunities for young people and sustainably improves living conditions. Nigeria remains a natural partner for Burkina Faso and a major player on our continent. Our economies are complementary and it is up to us to translate this complementarity into transformative projects.”
Traoré said changes in regional institutional arrangements should not weaken the longstanding bonds among African peoples, saying “Our institutional frameworks may evolve; the brotherhood among our peoples, however, endures,” he said.
He said Burkina Faso remained ready to work with Nigeria through frank dialogue that respected the sovereignty and legitimate interests of both nations, while welcoming recent high-level meeting between ministers responsible for digital affairs in both countries.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Syndoph Endoni called for a new phase of practical cooperation between the two West African countries, saying Nigeria remained committed to African solidarity, peaceful coexistence, regional integration, respect for sovereignty and peaceful settlement of disputes.
He said Nigeria and Burkina Faso established diplomatic relations in 1972, with ties sustained by shared history, cultural affinities and common aspirations.
“I reaffirm Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to strengthening this historic relationship,” Endoni said, pledging to help translate the longstanding friendship into “deeper, practical and mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The ambassador said security cooperation had become particularly important because threats confronting both countries increasingly transcended national borders.
He listed terrorism, violent extremism, human trafficking, arms and drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime and other transnational organised crimes.
“We must strengthen our security and defence partnership through intelligence sharing, border cooperation, capacity building, joint training and professional exchanges. Nigeria will continue to work with Burkina Faso to promote safer borders, stronger economies, food and energy security, human development and protection of our citizens.”
Endoni pledged that the Nigerian Embassy would continue protecting the legitimate interests of Nigerians resident in Burkina Faso, urging Nigerians to remain law-abiding and contribute positively.
“Our countries may have different national circumstances and policy approaches, but we share a common interest in peace, prosperity and a secure West Africa,” he said.
He called for “a new chapter” encompassing stronger security and defence cooperation, expanded trade and investment and a broader bilateral partnership.
“Nigeria stands ready to engage Burkina Faso in a spirit of friendship, equality, mutual respect and shared responsibility,” Endoni said.
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