The President of Burkina Faso called on ECOWAS to cooperate with Russia

Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré said ECOWAS could gain significant benefits from cooperation with Russia.

Traore noted that Russia has never colonized Africa and can be a useful partner for African countries.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024 and created their own Alliance of Sahel States.

MOSCOW, September 29 - RIA Novosti. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) can gain significant benefits from cooperation with Russia, Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré said in an interview with the national television channel of Burkina Faso (RTB).

In January 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, accusing the organization of putting pressure on the countries after the change of power in these states. The three countries later created their own Alliance of Sahel States.

“Russia is a country that, as I already said, never colonized Africa. On the contrary, at a certain period it helped many African countries in the process of decolonization. Therefore, it is also a partner that can help,” Traoré said in an interview with RTB dedicated to the four-year anniversary of his coming to power.

“From the point of view of technological, industrial and general development, Russia is much further than us. Therefore, we have something to gain (from cooperation with Russia - ed.),” he noted.

Traoré added that ECOWAS could take advantage of partnership opportunities with Moscow.

“If ECOWAS believes that it can benefit greatly from cooperation with Russia, that is very good. I encourage them to do so,” said the head of Burkina Faso.