Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — In a meeting with Burkina Faso’s foreign minister on Monday, the European Union’s special representative for the Sahel, Emanuela Claudia Del Re, acknowledged existing differences with Burkina Faso on specific issues but affirmed the EU’s continued commitment to the Sahel region.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Del Re met with Minister Jean Marie Karamoko Traoré in Ouagadougou and highlighted that despite certain divergences, a strong consensus remains on the EU’s commitment to the Sahel countries. During the discussions, Del Re sought updates on the transition process in Burkina Faso, the stance of the Alliance of Sahel States on regional and international relationships, and the recent accusations of human rights violations that have surfaced in the media.

The meeting also addressed the EU’s significant role as one of the main donors in Burkina Faso, focusing on humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. This dialogue comes in the wake of a report by Human Rights Watch in April, which accused local defense and security forces of human rights abuses during counter-terrorism efforts. The EU has expressed concerns regarding these allegations and is urging the Burkinabè government to engage constructively with both national and international partners dedicated to human rights, promoting a cooperative and trustworthy approach to address these serious issues.