The Burkinabe government, through a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, has released a series of strict directives to institution heads residents and ministers regarding the acceptance of donations and funding originating from bilateral and multilateral partners.
Signed by Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the statement, addressed “to every Institution President, every Minister” highlights the head of state’s commitment to “restore national sovereignty and preserve the dignity and integrity of the Burkinabe people” through the Popular Progressive Revolution (RPP).
The PM uses the communiqué to express sharp criticism of past cooperation, noting that Burkina Faso has “often felt obliged to accept and endure the ‘diktat’ of partners” under the pretext of development aid.
“Accepting donations and funding with no real development impact, sometimes degrading and humiliating, and giving the illusion of action, compromises genuine development and tarnishes our country’s image,” the text specifies.
Consequently, the government announces a “re-alignment and refocusing” of partnerships to concentrate exclusively on “structuring initiatives, projects, and programmes, consistent with national priorities and which reinforce the vision of the Comrade President.”
Clear directive to reject
The PM issues a formal directive to officials: “every form of donation and funding” must henceforth be “rigorously examined and evaluated before acceptance.”
He explicitly urges institutions to “decline any support that would be of a degrading nature, contrary to the values of honour and dignity of the Burkinabe people, or which would not be consistent with the RPP’s vision.”
The statement concludes by advising recipients, in case of doubt about the course of action, to refer to the services of the Prime Minister’s Office.
This move marks a new phase in Burkina Faso’s assertion of its independence in determining its development policies.
HO/ac/lb/as/APA