Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, has called for wide-ranging reforms to the African Union (AU), urging the continental body to become more independent, strengthen its support for member states and reduce its reliance on external funding. Speaking in Ouagadougou during a meeting with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Ouédraogo said the AU must reform its decision-making processes, financing mechanisms and institutional operations to better defend Africa’s sovereignty and strategic interests. The Prime Minister argued that dependence on foreign partners limits the organization’s ability to respond effectively to the continent’s challenges and called for greater financial self-sufficiency within the AU.
He also appealed for increased support for countries in the Sahel that continue to battle terrorism and violent extremism, stressing the need for stronger continental solidarity in addressing regional security threats. Ouédraogo further emphasized the importance of engaging Africa’s youth, describing them as a key driver of the continent’s future development and stability. Responding to the concerns, AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s importance within the African Union and acknowledged the country’s efforts to strengthen its sovereignty and national resilience.
Youssouf assured Burkinabe authorities of the AU’s continued support for the country’s development and security priorities, adding that terrorism in the Sahel remains a collective challenge requiring coordinated action across the continent. “The fight against terrorism is not Burkina Faso’s challenge alone, but one that concerns the whole of Africa,” he said, expressing the AU’s solidarity with countries affected by insecurity. The meeting comes as Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, continues to redefine its relations with regional and continental institutions while confronting persistent security threats from armed extremist groups.
