Speaking on behalf of President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s representative, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, Prime Minister and head of government of Burkina Faso, emphasized both the deep disappointments of the past eight decades and the determination of Burkina Faso and its Sahel partners to take ownership of their future.

The 80th anniversary of the United Nations was described not as a moment of celebration, but as a moment of reckoning. While the theme of this year’s session, “Better together: over 80 years in the service of peace, development and human rights”, was meant to inspire renewed global commitment, Burkina Faso urged delegates to confront the UN’s shortcomings.

The Prime Minister described the UN’s overall record as a “structural failure,” marked by “eight decades of disappointed hopes and broken dreams.” Although some progress has been made, the speech argued that the organization has consistently failed to deliver on the promises made at its founding in 1945. The address framed the UN’s legacy less as a success story than as an “embarrassing fiasco” that requires urgent reform.

President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Photo: Powers Of Africa

 Much of Burkina Faso’s critique focused on the Security Council. Mr Ouedraogo argued that the Council, in its current form, is unable to respond to today’s challenges. It was described as politicized, divided, and too often complicit in the very crises it is tasked with addressing.

Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership was highlighted as one of the most glaring injustices in international governance. For decades, African countries have demanded a permanent seat with full rights, yet the issue remains unresolved. Burkina Faso questioned how a continent of more than a billion people, and the site of so many global security challenges, could remain sidelined in such a critical decision-making body. The speech also criticized peacekeeping missions, arguing that while billions of dollars are spent, the results often leave local populations more frustrated than reassured. According to Burkina Faso, this outcome highlights how structural issues within the UN can undermine even its most visible interventions.

Turning to domestic concerns, the address highlighted Burkina Faso’s struggle against terrorism, particularly in the Sahel. For nearly a decade, the country has faced violent attacks from groups that seek to undermine state sovereignty and exploit resources.

Mr Ouedraogo accused certain foreign powers of indirectly supporting armed groups, either through funding networks or through information campaigns that weaken state authority. France was specifically criticized, with the statement accusing French media of amplifying the voices of “criminals” who carry out attacks against civilians.

Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso insisted it has chosen dignity and resistance. Under President Traoré’s leadership, the country has mobilized both its security forces and civilians. The Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland were described as “everyday heroes,” standing alongside the national army in the defense of sovereignty.

The address also highlighted the Patriotic Support Fund, created in 2023 and financed through contributions from citizens, the diaspora, and allies. To date, the fund has collected more than 413 billion CFA francs, which Burkina Faso called proof of unity and resilience. According to the statement, these efforts have yielded tangible results: 72% of the country’s territory has reportedly been retaken from armed groups, thousands of displaced persons have returned home, and schools and public services are reopening.

During their first joint summit held in Niamey, the capital of Niger, the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso

and Niger signed a treaty according to which the trio formed a confederation. Photo: journal-neo.su

A major focus of the address was Burkina Faso’s participation in the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), formed with Mali and Niger. Far from a retreat from international engagement, the AES was framed as an assertion of sovereignty and dignity. Mr Ouedraogo emphasised that the confederation aims to ensure that decisions regarding the region’s future are made by its own people, rather than being imposed by outside actors.

The address linked the AES to Africa’s broader pan-Africanist legacy, invoking the names of Thomas Sankara, Patrice Lumumba, and Kwame Nkrumah. Burkina Faso presented the confederation as part of a generational struggle for independence, describing it as a continuation of efforts to build unity, self-determination, and resilience against external pressures.

Beyond security, Burkina Faso’s speech underscored the importance of economic transformation. The country called for an end to dependence on raw commodity exports and stressed the need for local processing, industrialization, and value addition.

According to the address, international trade and development models imposed on Africa have created cycles of dependency that hinder true progress. Burkina Faso argued that durable prosperity requires industrial policies that create jobs, particularly for young people, and that promote food sovereignty and agricultural resilience.

Domestically, the government has introduced reforms aimed at rehabilitating land, boosting agricultural production, and reducing reliance on imports. These initiatives, the representative said, are beginning to show results.

Burkina Faso also reaffirmed its support for a fairer international financial system, expressing hope that the upcoming International Conference on Financing for Development would lead to meaningful reforms.

The address included strong criticism of certain international reports, particularly the UN’s Children and Armed Conflict in Burkina Faso. The government described the report as biased, inaccurate, and disconnected from realities on the ground. Burkina Faso insisted that such narratives undermine national efforts and fail to recognise the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians defending the country.

In its closing sections, the speech made several clear demands:

1. Permanent African representation on the Security Council with full rights, including veto power.
2. Greater accountability in UN resource management, to make the organization more effective and responsive to the needs of people.
3. An end to foreign interference in African affairs, which Burkina Faso argued has fueled instability and exploitation.
4. A more just and equitable multilateral system, rooted in solidarity, mutual respect, and sovereignty.

The address also expressed solidarity with countries facing sanctions and blockades, such as Cuba and Venezuela, framing them as victims of the same inequities that Africa experiences.

Written by Dr. Florence Omisakin