Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

2 min read
11 February 2023 | 10:00 CAT

The foreign ministers of Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali – African countries which are all ruled by military juntas – have proposed a regional partnership to facilitate trade and tackle insecurity in the region.

Guinea-Bissau’s President General Umaro Sissoco Embalo, Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara and Ghana’s President Nana Akufo Addo attend the ECOWAS summit.
Picture: Reuters.

In a joint statement, the countries noted that the ministers met in Burkina Faso’s capital Ouagadougou this week to discuss the collaboration.

Since, 2020 all three West African countries have experienced military takeovers which has turned back on democratic gains.

This has led to frustration by citizens over governments’ inability to protect civilians from insurgencies and economic sanctions that soured relations with African and Western allies.

Last year, all three countries were suspended from The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Africa Union as a result of the coups.

ECOWAS has imposed sanctions on Guinea and Mali for delaying the restoration of constitutional order, which can only be lifted if ultimatums set last year is adhered to.

During the meeting in Burkina Faso, the three ministers explored measures for technical and financial support for their democratic transitions.

Mali has since 2020 faced two coups, one in Guinea in 2021 and two in Burkina Faso last year.