Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, in his capacity as Chair of the African Union, arrived in Ouagadougou on Monday, April 20, for what has been described as a “friendship and working visit,” according to Burkina Faso’s Presidency. The engagement comes at a critical juncture, as relations between the AU and Burkina Faso have remained strained since the September 2022 coup.
During high-level talks with Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, discussions centred on counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel and pathways to restoring cooperation between the AU and the Confederation of Sahel States. A statement issued on Monday evening underscored the shared commitment to recalibrating institutional ties.
Addressing the media after the meeting, President Ndayishimiye—who also serves as the AU’s Special Envoy for the Sahel since 2025—indicated that the visit had provided him with deeper insight into the “objective realities” confronting Burkina Faso and the wider region.
He was received earlier in the day at Ouagadougou International Airport by Captain Traoré before proceeding to the presidential palace for bilateral engagements.
The visit signals a renewed push for direct dialogue between the AU and Burkina Faso, which remains suspended from the continental body alongside Mali and Niger following military takeovers. Despite the suspension, diplomatic channels have remained partially open. Former AU Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, visited Ouagadougou in February 2023 to explore a roadmap back to constitutional governance, while AU envoy Antonio Tete undertook a fact-finding mission in 2025.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Kulouba, President Ndayishimiye emphasised the AU’s role as a “solid bridge” between Burkina Faso and broader African institutions. He further stressed the imperative of preserving unity and solidarity across the continent, while acknowledging the complex security and governance challenges facing the Sahel.
In a gesture of diplomatic goodwill, he commended Captain Traoré for his “commitment to peace and stability” in Burkina Faso.