While relations between Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire have not been at their best since the military came to power in Ouagadougou, Abidjan has expressed the desire to set up joint patrols with its neighbour.
Ivorian Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara on Tuesday expressed his country’s desire to strengthen its military collaboration with Burkina Faso, in particular to deal with terrorism.
Ouattara stressed that his country is in favour of organising joint patrols with Burkina Faso to secure common borders.
“We have always wanted it. The Burkinabe side had given us assurances in this sense, but for the moment it is not effective. But it is our wish because it would solve a problem. It would allow Côte d’Ivoire to clean up the Ivorian North and Burkina Faso (in) the South,” he declared.
The Ivorian minister regretted that this cooperation is not yet effective. He explained that the last operation carried out with Burkinabe troops dates back to 2021.
“Since then, we have not yet been able to carry out an operation together,” Ouattara noted, while expressing optimism about the realisation of this initiative.
He recalled the historical ties between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, linked by the border, by people, and by customs.
“We have populations on both sides who speak the same language. It is a certain number of things that mean that Côte d’Ivoire cannot fallout with Burkina, and vice versa,” he said.
According to him, misunderstandings can arise between the two nations but these are quickly dispelled.
“I think there is no problem a priori,” he added.
In addition, the Ivorian minister confirmed the resumption of discussions with Burkina Faso concerning the delimitation of borders.
HO/te/Sf/fss/jn/APA