Despite the growing hostile diplomatic climate against America in the sahel region in Africa, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa, Will Stevens, was in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou, on Tuesday, May 27th 2025
He was received by Burkina faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Nationalities Abroad, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traor
On the initiative of the US president Donald Trump, the U.S. diplomats visit was to reiterate the United States’ commitment to rebuilding strong cooperation with Burkina Faso.
“I come today with a message from President Donald Trump, which is to work together to build a pragmatic relationship based on mutual respect, and respect for the sovereignty of each country; We can collaborate mutually, work together to address challenges and improve our relations,” he said
He was in Burkina Faso to explore various areas and opportunities for cooperation to strengthen relations between the two partners, with several prospects for cooperation, including strengthening trade relations and security cooperation.
Burkinabe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore welcomed this approach by the American President, who to him, had understood the need to send an emissary to the field to obtain firsthand information.
The Burkinabe Foreign Minister also provided clarification on the vision and principles that now guide the Burkinabe government in its cooperative relations, asserting that the Burkinabe authorities are committed to building strategic partnerships that enable the building of a sovereign nation.
“As Burkinabe, as Sahelians, and as Africans, we want mutual respect, respect for our sovereignty; Africa is a continent like any other, and Africans are human beings like any other; We want a change of outlook and reading, that we understand each other, that we avoid frustrating speeches, and build our relations on an egalitarian principle,” the Head of Burkinabe diplomacy suggested to the American emissary, while welcoming the fact that the TRUMP Administration is beginning to understand this vision.
On the security issue, Minister Traore expressed regret that in this context, some countries, including the United States, base on principles and ignoring the realities on the ground, are preventing countries suffering from terrorism from acquiring war materials and equipment.
In response, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, in office since January 2025, promised to personally commit to resolving this situation and ensuring significant progress in the fight against terrorism and its financing in the sub-region.
Asked how he reacted to General Langley’s remarks on Burkina Faso, which sparked strong reactions around the world, the US envoy said he was Ouagadougou, “to send a positive message, to restore mutual trust, and to foster a new dynamic of cooperation between Ouagadougou and Washington.”
