Diplomacy: Sierra Leone/ President Julius Maada Bio visits Burkina Faso to strengthen bilateral ties
Ouagadougou, September 16, 2025 – The President of Sierra Leone Dr. Julius Maada Bio arrived in Burkina Faso today for an official visit aimed at reinforcing bilateral relations between the two nations.
The trip coincides with the second anniversary of the founding of the Sahel States Alliance (AES), a regional bloc whose influence continues to attract international attention.
President Bio was welcomed by his Burkinabe counterpart, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, with discussions focusing on enhanced economic and security cooperation, as well as closer alignment in regional and international forums.
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Although not an AES member, Sierra Leone’s engagement with Burkina Faso signals a strategic outreach by the Alliance to build partnerships with African nations sharing common concerns over sovereignty and autonomous development.
The visit underscores a broader shift in West African diplomacy, as countries increasingly seek solidarity in addressing shared challenges such as insecurity, economic dependency, and post-colonial geopolitical legacies.
As the AES marks its second year, this high-level dialogue reflects a growing trend toward interconnected, Africa-focused foreign policy.
Maurice K.ZONGO
