Burkina Faso Roundup: 80th UN General Assembly, global governance, International Criminal Court exit

80th UN General Assembly

Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo landed in New York for the 80th UN General Assembly, urging his delegation to project unity and discipline. He said the forum must be used to “expose, in no uncertain terms, Burkina Faso’s position on major global issues.” Starting Monday, September 22, the Burkinabè team will begin a series of high-level meetings, vowing to defend national sovereignty and make their voice “clear and coherent” among world leaders.

Global governance

Burkinabè Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré met China’s ambassador Zhao Deyong on Friday for the official presentation of President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative. The framework promotes a multipolar world anchored in respect for sovereignty, international law, and multilateralism. Traoré praised the plan as fully aligned with Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s vision for Burkina Faso, saying the country “fully adheres” to its principles.

International Criminal Court

Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger jointly announced their withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), blasting it as “a tool of neocolonial repression.” The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) argued that the ICC is incapable of addressing war crimes and is selective in its justice. The move follows their earlier break from ECOWAS and pivot toward Russia, underscoring the bloc’s widening distance from Western institutions.

Guinea-Burkina Faso partnership

Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo met Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang on the sidelines of the UNGA, with both sides pushing for ties that go beyond “declarations.” Ouédraogo insisted the political friendship must translate into “operational content” through bilateral consultations and joint commissions. The talks mark a renewed effort to turn warm words into shared projects in security and development.

Visit to Crimea

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry condemned as “illegal” a September 19 visit by ambassadors from Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso to Crimea, where they held talks with local authorities on trade, investment, and education. Kyiv said the move violated international law. The three Sahel states — now aligned as the AES — have already cut ties with Ukraine, citing its alleged support for “terrorist activities” in the Sahel. The controversy adds another layer of strain between Kyiv and the region’s juntas.