In power since September 2022, President Ibrahim Traore has just cancelled his planned official visit to China, which would have been his second outing from the continent after his participation in the Russia-Africa summit in July 2023.
Captain Ibrahim Traore, will no longer be going to China, where he was due to take part in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), scheduled for 4 to 6 September in Beijing.
This summit, under the theme “Joining forces to promote modernisation and build a high-level China-Africa community of shared future,” will bring together several African leaders, including Mali’s junta head, Assimi Goita, who will be attending on 2 September.
Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye also announced at the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday 28 August that he would be taking part in the forum.
Discussions will focus on strengthening economic relations and the signing of cooperation agreements between China and African countries.
Captain Traoré has cancelled his second official visit outside Africa and his first to China, following the deadly terrorist attack on the village of Barsalogho in the Central-North region.
‘In view of the national situation with the attack in Barsalogho, the President of Faso’s visit to China has been cancelled’, confirmed a source close to the Presidency in Ouagadougou.
On Saturday 24 August, terrorists burst into the town of Barsalogho and opened fire on civilians and soldiers while they were carrying out community work, killing several hundred people and wounding others who
were evacuated to Kaya.
A delegation from the transitional government visited the wounded and the scene of the attack to express the authorities’ sympathy.
DS/Sf/ac/fss/as/APA