Burkina Faso:  H.E Mrs Olivia Rouamba, a dynamic diplomat at the service of her country

After brilliantly representing Burkina Faso on the podium of the United Nations during the High-Level Political Forum, H.E. Mrs Olivia Rouamba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, showed her dynamism during a series of audiences with senior officials of the United Nations system. These fruitful meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the country and the measures put in place to ensure its stability and development.

The first meeting, with the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Secretary-General, Earle Courtenay RATTRAYS, provided an opportunity to highlight the overall situation in Burkina Faso and to discuss the Stabilisation and Development Action Plan (SDAP).

Olivia Rouamba stated that the implementation of this plan was a priority for the President of the Transition and Head of State, Captain Ibrahim TRAORÉ, and for the Government of Burkina Faso.

In view of this determination, the Head of Cabinet promised to pass on the information to the UN Secretary-General, with a view to raising awareness of the specific situation in Burkina Faso.

The care of children and women in the context of the asymmetrical war imposed on the people of Burkina Faso was also discussed during the meeting with the Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mr Omar Abdi.

Mrs Olivia Rouamba stressed the importance of children as a government priority in projects and programmes linked to the stabilisation of the country.

In response, Mr ABDI promised to propose a new programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) children in Burkina Faso, an initiative likely to meet the crucial needs of this vulnerable category.

The fight against terrorism and organised crime was the main topic of the meeting with the Under-Secretary-General in charge of the United Nations Office against Terrorism, Mr Raffi GREGORIAN.

Mr GREGORIAN pledged to carefully examine Burkina Faso’s unique situation in line with the four pillars of the United Nations global counter-terrorism strategy.

The aim of this approach is to strengthen international cooperation to deal with the security threats facing the country.

Mrs Ahunna EZIAKONWA, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in charge of the Regional Bureau for Africa, also gave Burkina Faso her firm support. She reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to supporting the country in implementing development projects and programmes for the benefit of its people.

Ms EZIAKONWA also promised to plead Burkina Faso’s cause with other technical and financial partners, demonstrating a true spirit of international solidarity.

Finally, Mrs Olivia Rouamba brought these fruitful meetings to a close by inviting the UNDP Assistant Administrator to make a field visit to Burkina Faso.

This initiative strengthens the ties between Burkina Faso and the United Nations, and testifies to Ms Rouamba’s desire to create concrete partnerships for the development and stability of her country.

The audiences with the heads of the United Nations system were an opportunity for Mrs Olivia Rouamba to demonstrate her dynamism, determination and commitment to Burkina Faso.

Her active diplomacy opens the way to new opportunities for cooperation and international solidarity to meet the challenges facing the nation of Burkina Faso.

Nicky Bonsafo