Burkina Faso has proposed a bilateral session with Nigeria to review cooperation and chart new areas of partnership to reset ties between both West African countries.
The proposal came when Nigeria’s new Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Amb. Syndoph Endoni, presented his Letter of Credence in Ouagadougou on Friday.
Burkinabe Foreign Minister, Jean-Marie Traoré, received Endoni and expressed delight at formally welcoming him to the country.
Traoré described the ambassador’s assumption of duty as another opportunity to strengthen longstanding relations between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
He highlighted the shared African heritage, history and common challenges binding both countries, pledging to work closely with Endoni to sustain and deepen relations.
The minister backed the convening of a bilateral session where both governments could comprehensively review existing cooperation and explore new prospects.
The proposed bilateral session, if convened, could offer Abuja and Ouagadougou an opportunity to turn recent diplomatic friction into renewed engagement centred on security, mutual respect and regional stability.
The proposal followed recent diplomatic differences between Nigeria and members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
The proposed bilateral engagement provides both Abuja and Ouagadougou an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and address differences through direct diplomatic channels.
Responding, Endoni conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s appreciation to Burkina Faso’s President and Head of State, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, for accepting his accreditation.
He thanked the Burkinabe Government and Foreign Ministry for the warm reception accorded him since his arrival in Ouagadougou.
Endoni pledged to work with the foreign minister in addressing issues of mutual concern and developing joint solutions to challenges confronting both countries.
The Nigerian envoy particularly advocated greater African solidarity and greater confidence among countries on the continent in resolving their differences.
He said “as Africans, we must learn to accept ourselves and make efforts to resist the urge to wash our dirty linens outside.”
He expressed readiness to consolidate Nigeria-Burkina Faso relations “in a spirit of brotherhood” and promote constructive engagement between both governments.
The EAS countries formally withdrew from ECOWAS on Jan. 29, 2025, although the Community retained transitional arrangements to protect trade, movement and other interests of regional citizens.
The three countries strengthened cooperation under the AES, while ECOWAS continued exploring modalities for future political, economic and security engagement with them.
Nigeria remains a leading ECOWAS state, while Burkina Faso increasingly coordinated foreign and security policy with Mali and Niger through the AES.
President Tinubu approved Endoni’s posting to Ouagadougou as part of the deployment of Nigeria’s newly appointed ambassadors to foreign missions.
Endoni arrived in Burkina Faso during the week to assume duty and received a warm welcome from Burkinabe officials, African diplomats, Nigerian Embassy personnel and the Nigerian community.
The career diplomat previously served as Chargé d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York before his ambassadorial appointment.
The presentation of Letter of Credence to the foreign minister is a customary diplomatic step preceding the formal presentation of credentials to the Burkinabe Head of State.
The ambassador is expected to formally present his Letter of Credence to Capt. Traoré as he settles into his assignment in Ouagadougou.
