Burkinabe Foreign Minister Karamako Jean Marie Traoré received Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Éric Soviguidi in Ouagadougou on Monday to discuss the Catholic Church’s involvement in managing the Sahel’s security and humanitarian crisis.
The head of Burkinabe diplomacy held talks with an audience with Soviguidi on the Catholic Church’s support for populations affected by the ongoing security crisis in the Sahel nation. “Beyond its religious mission, the Catholic Church in Burkina Faso participates in supporting the population during this period when the people have decided to take charge of their own destiny,” stated Monsignor Soviguidi.
Both diplomats emphasised the urgent need to cut off terrorist financing and the necessity for Sahelian nations to adopt a unified stance against the threat. This convergence is seen as vital for establishing an effective synergy of actions against armed groups.
The Vatican representative also touched on the role the Holy See can play in ensuring that “the crisis in the Sahel is recognised for its true magnitude and treated as such” on the international stage. He further commended ongoing development initiatives, specifically the Faso Mêbo project, which the Church has pledged to support.
Monsignor Soviguidi announced his intention to conduct field visits to better coordinate future interventions. Minister Traoré encouraged this approach, calling on the Holy See to help foster a more accurate global understanding of the Sahelian crisis.
The minister noted that the crisis is often “neglected and used as an instrument of foreign policy by certain Western states.” He urged for a shift in perspective that respects the reality of the situation on the ground.
Ho/sf/lb/as/APA