Burkina Faso tells UN ‘hidden’ state support is fuelling Sahel terrorism
Key Takeaways
- Burkina Faso alleged that some unnamed states were providing hidden support for terrorism in the Sahel.
- Traore defended the AES withdrawal from the ICC, citing alleged “selectivity and politicisation.”
- He said more than 74% of Burkina Faso’s territory was now under control.
Speaking for the AES, Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore accused unnamed states of supporting terrorism and defended the bloc’s withdrawal from the ICC.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traore has alleged that some states are secretly supporting terrorism in the Sahel, as he addressed the UN General Assembly on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).
Traore said rebuilding international trust required an end to what he described as state support for terrorist groups.
“For the Confederation of Sahel States, restoring trust necessarily means an immediate end to state support for terrorism. Terrorism cannot continue to be an instrument of the foreign policy of certain powers,” Traore said.
He did not name the states he was referring to but alleged that terrorist groups were receiving hidden support.
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“Behind the terrorist’s murderous arm, there are hidden forms of support, including from states, driven by the desire to regain lost advantages and privileges,” he added. “Silence in the face of such actions is no longer prudence; it is serious complicity.”
Traore also defended the decision by AES countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, pointing to what he described as “selectivity and politicisation.”
“We accept impartial and objective scrutiny. However, we reject political trials. Yes to respect for the law. But we reject its instrumentalisation <...> International justice? Yes. Selective justice? No,” he argued.
Turning to slavery and colonialism, the Burkina Faso foreign minister called for historical recognition to be followed by further action.
He said recognition “must pave the way for truth, memory, reparations and a genuine transformation of international relations inherited from slavery and colonialism.”
Traore also addressed Burkina Faso’s security situation, saying more than 74% of the country’s territory was now under control. Security forces continue operations against militants and criminal groups.
The UN General Assembly brings together 193 member states, with this year’s session held under the theme “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
