If in Mali care has been taken to denounce, with supporting evidence, the actions of the French ambassador, the remarks of Emmanuel Macron towards President Assimi Goïta, the actions of the Barkhane force (even if the France disputes) which tended to favor armed terrorist groups and to restrict the strike force of the Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) to fight effectively against these terrorists, in Burkina Faso we are content simply to ask for the departure of Ambassador Luc Hallade , to denounce the military partnership agreement between Burkina and France. Without giving any further explanation.
The fact of saying that it is the Burkinabè who will be in the front line for the fight against terrorism and the rebuilding of the nation is not a new fact. All the successive regimes have always meant it. Burkina Faso’s only problem is the lack of material resources for which it needs reliable partners.
The question that arises is whether those who signed these agreements in 2015, under the transition, were not sufficiently equipped to defend the interests of Burkina Faso? Or was it the trigger on the temple that they had signed them? If we decide to denounce them, we must clearly explain, with supporting evidence, to the Burkinabè why we no longer want them! If it is to renegotiate them, let it also be explained, clearly, so that we finally know the new terms that will be contained therein!
What goes well in Bamako may not go well in Ouagadougou. The unity of the Malian people in the face of their major concerns around their army is noticeable. On the other hand, in Burkina Faso, the differences are such that it is customary to say that the Burkinabè only agree on their differences. In addition, Malians have a long tradition of cooperation with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (now the Russian Federation). Most Malian executives, whether in the army or in senior administration, were trained in Moscow. Unlike Burkina Faso where France has long been the primary destination for training our executives.
Indeed, what should certainly be welcomed in this affair is the rapprochement between the countries of the sub-region. Because none of them, taken in isolation, can find lasting solutions to these problems. It is therefore urgent and very important to develop initiatives within community organizations so that all the peoples of space have a harmony of view on public development policies. This is currently the case with the security challenges that now threaten all the countries of the sub-region.
What is certain, as much as Burkina Faso wants to safeguard its interests, as much as France wants to do the same. It seems then that it is in mutual respect that all of this can be negotiated, on both sides. Without too much fuss and bluster.
Dabaoué Audrianne KANI
