Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1166th meeting held on 3 August 2023, on Consideration of the Report of the PSC Field Mission to Burkina Faso conducted from 22 to 27 July 2023.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situations in Burkina Faso, in particular, Communiques [PSC/PR/COMM.1162 (2023)], adopted at its 1162nd meeting held on 20 July 2023; [PSC/MIN/COMM.1116 (2022)], adopted at its 1116th meeting held on 31 October 2022; [PSC/PR/COMM.1106 (2022)], adopted at its 1106th meeting held on 19 September 2022; [PSC/PR/COMM.1076 (2022)], adopted at its 1076th meeting held on 14 April 2022; and [PSC/PR/COMM.1062 (2023)] adopted at its 1062nd meeting held on 31 January 2022; and also recalling its Informal Consultation with the Countries in Political Transition, held on 26 April 2023, namely Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Sudan;

Taking note of the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Willy Nyamitwe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi to the African Union (AU) and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council of the AU for August 2023 and the presentation of the Report of the PSC Field Mission to Burkina Faso conducted from 22 to 27 July 2023, by H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Lamine Thiaw, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Senegal to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for July 2023, who led the Delegation of the PSC during the Field Mission;

Mindful of the particularly challenging security situation prevailing in Burkina Faso and the rest of the Sahel region, characterized by the ongoing fight against terrorism and armed groups; 

Reaffirming the AU respect for the independence, sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of Burkina Faso; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Adopts the Report of the Field Mission;

2. Reiterates the AU solidarity with the Government and people of Burkina Faso and commitment to continue supporting them in their relentless pursuit for lasting peace, security, stability, and prosperity, which will tremendously benefit the country, the region and the Continent as a whole; 

3. Commends the Transitional Authority for the progress achieved thus far, in particularly improving security situation through fighting against terrorism, the establishment of the Transition Roadmap, and electoral calendar, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and while acknowledging the challenges being faced, urges the Transitional Authority to practically demonstrate its commitment and ensure that elections are successfully organized within the stipulated timelines;

4. Underscores the need for an inclusive transitional process and the imperative to work with all key stakeholders, at national and local levels to ensure national ownership, a whole-of-society and whole of government approach and a comprehensive process; emphasizes the importance of mutual confidence and trust building measures and, in this context, urges the Transitional Authority to work with the AU Commission and ECOWAS in order to facilitate expeditious return to constitutional order;

5. Emphasizes the need for increased interoperability and coordination between AU, ECOWAS and the Government of Burkina Faso in ascertaining an effective political transition process in the country; and in this context, requests the AU Commission to avail adequate resources to MISAHEL, in order to enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate; 

6. Calls for the operationalization of the AU, UN, ECOWAS, Joint Transition Monitoring Mechanism, including the resumption of the work of the ECOWAS Mediators in providing requisite support towards the effective implementation of the Transition Roadmap;

7. Expresses deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in the country and in this context, requests the AU Commission Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, working in close collaboration with the PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons, to upscale the AU humanitarian support package to complement the efforts of the Transitional Authorities; and also to implement the outcomes of the AU Extraordinary  Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference held  on 27 May 2022, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea;  

8. Urges the Transitional Authorities in Burkina Faso to lift the ban on the activities of political parties and other key stakeholders, in order to foster an inclusive, participatory and credible political transition process;

9. Encourages all political parties, civil society organizations and the media to play a more constructive role; place the supreme interests of the country above all else and to refrain from any activities that may further inflame the current situation; 

10. Reiterates the need for effective compliance with International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and the African Union Compliance and Accountability Framework, within military operations and regional security operations of the respective countries;

11. Requests the AU Commission to expedite the operationalization of existing financial mechanisms, including AFSIT and the Crisis Reserve Fund, among others, as vital instruments for providing a comprehensive support package to the transition process in Burkina Faso; and

12. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS