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Burkina Faso deserves praise for its transition towards peace Burkina Faso deserves praise for its transition towards peace
(7 months later)
I’ve just come back from a visit to Burkina Faso. I had two objectives. Firstly, I wanted to praise the people and the authorities of Burkina Faso for the end of a transition process that was remarkable. The peaceful elections that took place in December are a victory for Burkina Faso, but they are also good news for the region and the continent. The country’s civil society played a pivotal role; its maturity and resilience should be cited as an example for many.I’ve just come back from a visit to Burkina Faso. I had two objectives. Firstly, I wanted to praise the people and the authorities of Burkina Faso for the end of a transition process that was remarkable. The peaceful elections that took place in December are a victory for Burkina Faso, but they are also good news for the region and the continent. The country’s civil society played a pivotal role; its maturity and resilience should be cited as an example for many.
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Secondly, I wanted to reaffirm the strong commitment of the EU following the January attacks; we are determined to support Burkina Faso and the Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism and extremism. As I told my counterparts during the visit, their fight is our fight too. When I laid flowers at the site of the attacks, I also remembered the daily victims of terrorism in Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia.Secondly, I wanted to reaffirm the strong commitment of the EU following the January attacks; we are determined to support Burkina Faso and the Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism and extremism. As I told my counterparts during the visit, their fight is our fight too. When I laid flowers at the site of the attacks, I also remembered the daily victims of terrorism in Cameroon, Mali, Nigeria and Somalia.
As I’ve made clear during my visit here, the EU is confident in the future of Burkina Faso, even though we are aware of the high expectations in the country and of the regional challenges. Indeed, work needs to continue to consolidate stability, reconciliation and democratisation, in the context of the terrorist and extremist threat to the region.As I’ve made clear during my visit here, the EU is confident in the future of Burkina Faso, even though we are aware of the high expectations in the country and of the regional challenges. Indeed, work needs to continue to consolidate stability, reconciliation and democratisation, in the context of the terrorist and extremist threat to the region.
The EU has committed around €623m (£481m) for the coming years: we will support governance, access to healthcare, water and sanitation, resilience and food security. Our intention is to help the new government to quickly deliver; expectations are very high at the end of this transition period.The EU has committed around €623m (£481m) for the coming years: we will support governance, access to healthcare, water and sanitation, resilience and food security. Our intention is to help the new government to quickly deliver; expectations are very high at the end of this transition period.
The patience and resilience of the population should be quickly rewarded by concrete and visible dividends of peace. It is with this objective in mind that we plan to accelerate disbursements and already commit €400m by the end of 2016. Our intention is also to support Burkina Faso to address the increasing security challenges it faces.The patience and resilience of the population should be quickly rewarded by concrete and visible dividends of peace. It is with this objective in mind that we plan to accelerate disbursements and already commit €400m by the end of 2016. Our intention is also to support Burkina Faso to address the increasing security challenges it faces.
Related: Why did Burkina Faso become al-Qaida's latest target?
We are preparing a new package of actions from the new EU trust fund which will be announced by mid-April: we want to reinforce the presence of the state in areas that are fragile and could quickly become fertile ground for recruitment by terrorists. We also want to strengthen the resilience and basic services of local communities who have been particularly affected by the socio-economic and security challenges, in the spirit of the fund to address root causes of instability and migration in Africa.We are preparing a new package of actions from the new EU trust fund which will be announced by mid-April: we want to reinforce the presence of the state in areas that are fragile and could quickly become fertile ground for recruitment by terrorists. We also want to strengthen the resilience and basic services of local communities who have been particularly affected by the socio-economic and security challenges, in the spirit of the fund to address root causes of instability and migration in Africa.
A prosperous and stable Burkina Faso will also depend on good relations with its neighbours. The region must be united in this fight. This is why I welcome the country’s closer relationship with Mali. I encourage Burkina Faso to normalise its relationship with neighbouring Ivory Coast and to take an active role within regional structures, such as the G5 Sahel and Economic Community of West African States, strongly supported by the EU.A prosperous and stable Burkina Faso will also depend on good relations with its neighbours. The region must be united in this fight. This is why I welcome the country’s closer relationship with Mali. I encourage Burkina Faso to normalise its relationship with neighbouring Ivory Coast and to take an active role within regional structures, such as the G5 Sahel and Economic Community of West African States, strongly supported by the EU.
The EU has always stood by Burkina Faso, in good and in bad times. Together, we are aiming for the same objective: to build a stable and prosperous future for our citizens. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Our constant dialogue and robust partnership will help us find that way together.The EU has always stood by Burkina Faso, in good and in bad times. Together, we are aiming for the same objective: to build a stable and prosperous future for our citizens. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Our constant dialogue and robust partnership will help us find that way together.