By Julio Morejon Tartabull
Writing in Africa and the Middle East
The foreign ministers of these nations, in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, expressed their interest in implementing the proposal, which due to its openness could attract the attention of others in the region.
Although observers have already stressed the existence of similar elements in the ruling military juntas of these three countries, interest in working towards common goals was confirmed in a statement by their foreign ministries on February 11.
The three states have been criticized for staged military mutinies since 2020. The West accused them of “undoing the democratic gains that stripped the region of the label of the coup belt in Africa.”
In the popular context, however, it seems so. This accusation fell on deaf ears as most citizens agree with the application of transformations that guarantee peace, harmony and holistic development.
“The new association provides, among other things, for political and diplomatic consultations at the highest level, facilitates the supply of hydrocarbons, electricity and intensifies economic and commercial exchanges, (…), quotes sputniknews.lat
Military coups came in response to governments hit by crises that lacked credibility and the ability to make significant changes for the benefit of all, a.
But attacks on power remain illegal pronouncements, dismissed by the international community, including the UN and much of the world.
In reality, they have emerged from turbulent processes, ending and opening phases that threaten the stability of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
A NEW AXLE?
While digital website africanews.com speculates whether these three countries will form an axis, according to Burkina Faso leader Captain Ibrahim Traorè, interest in moving in that direction is evident.
“We really want to look at other horizons because we want win-win partnerships,” he said.
This change comes after the Malian authorities’ decision to request the withdrawal of French troops from the Barkhane operation, followed later by their similar Burkinabe forces.
The two countries have been victims of violence by armed Islamists who have been confronted by soldiers sent from Paris since 2013.
However, such support does not satisfy the recipients, and in the Malian case, the authorities cited a veiled attempt at colonization and favoritism towards extremists.
Burkina Faso gave a month’s notice for the French withdrawal, but in no case did it propose to sever relations with the former metropolis, despite the wish of the majority of the population.
In any case, the issue is not that the axis emerges, but the possibility that this association will find a path that could replace previous ineffective treatments and adopt plans for progress.
During a visit to Mali, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov promised help “for the Sahel-Sahara region and even for the countries bordering the Gulf of Guinea”. The statement by the Russian foreign minister accompanies the development projects envisaged in the Mali-Guinea-Burkina Faso initiative, which other states could join.
UNITED STRENGTH
The Malian, Burkinabe and Guinean foreign ministers assessed the events of the past two years and condemned the “mechanical imposition of sanctions that often fail to take into account the deep and complex causes of political changes in nations”.
This punishment, they added, “affects populations already abused by insecurity and political instability”, “undermines sub-regional and African solidarity” and “deprives ECOWAS and the AU of the contribution from the three countries needed to major challenges to be overcome”.
According to lejournaldelafrique.com. “Guinea, Burkina Faso and Mali want to create an unofficial organization and come together to become stronger, but for now it’s just a first step.
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