Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, serving as Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to Burkina Faso during a high-level visit to Ouagadougou on Friday.
Following a working session with Burkinabe Foreign Minister Jean-Marie Traoré, Cassis confirmed that Switzerland will maintain its presence and cooperation across the humanitarian, socio-economic, trade, and governance sectors for the 2026–2029 period, despite recent political shifts in the region.
The partnership, which has spanned 50 years, is set to evolve to meet current realities. To solidify this intent, Switzerland announced a new cooperation program for 2026–2029 with a budget exceeding 14 billion CFA francs. These funds are specifically earmarked for targeted investments to support Burkinabe communities. Discussions between the delegations also explored the dynamics of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES/CSA) and potential frameworks for strengthening cooperation between Switzerland and the newly formed confederation.
Minister Traoré welcomed the visit, noting that it allowed the Swiss delegation to witness the local context firsthand, fostering a bilateral relationship built on mutual respect. He expressed satisfaction with Switzerland’s unwavering support in addressing the country’s security and development challenges. Traoré emphasized that Switzerland’s choice to remain engaged in the Sahel during the current climate is a highly appreciated demonstration of solidarity.
The meeting concluded with both ministers reaffirming the importance of sustained bilateral dialogue. They stressed the need to establish a formal mechanism for regular consultations to further strengthen the strategic axis between Ouagadougou and Bern.
HO/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA