Burkina Faso has called for urgent reforms to the United Nations, urging a “courageous” overhaul of the Security Council to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.
Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo delivered the address on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the 80th regular session of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Mandated by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, Ouédraogo offered a critical assessment of the UN’s eight-decade history, describing it as a “collective disillusionment” marked by “crucial missed opportunities.”
He lamented Africa’s absence from permanent Security Council representation, the politicization of decision-making, and the mixed results of peacekeeping operations, which he said are often costly and ineffective.
Addressing Burkina Faso’s internal security situation, the Prime Minister highlighted the country’s fight against terrorism, which he argued is sometimes exploited by external powers to “plunder African resources.”
He praised the efforts of the Burkinabe Defense and Security Forces, alongside the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), noting that more than 413 billion CFA francs raised since 2023 have enabled the recapture of over 72% of national territory. He paid tribute to martyrs and reaffirmed that Burkina Faso’s sovereign priorities “are not negotiable.”
On regional cooperation, Ouédraogo reiterated Burkina Faso’s commitment to the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger, framing it as a space for a “dignified, independent and united” community.
“The AES is not a withdrawal, much less a closure. It is the affirmation of our right to self-determination,” he stressed, invoking the legacies of Pan-Africanist icons such as Thomas Sankara and Patrice Lumumba.
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing Burkina Faso’s dedication to universal justice, solidarity with those resisting external interference, and the need for a reformed Security Council that guarantees permanent African representation.
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