By Damilola Charles
Nigeria and Burkina Faso have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen security cooperation against terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime.
The commitment followed a meeting in Ouagadougou between Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Rimtalba Ouédraogo, and Nigeria’s Ambassador, Syndoph Endoni.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the statement, both sides agreed that shared security challenges required closer coordination, intelligence sharing and stronger institutional collaboration.
They agreed that deeper cooperation would help both countries confront terrorism and organised criminal networks and contribute to wider peace and stability in West Africa.
Ouédraogo acknowledged the longstanding people-to-people ties between Nigeria and Burkina Faso and described the relationship as one requiring continued nurturing.
He said both countries faced common challenges that demanded greater cooperation, mutual understanding and sustained high-level engagement.
The Prime Minister expressed Burkina Faso’s readiness to work closely with Nigeria to strengthen the historic relationship and advance shared interests.
The discussions placed particular emphasis on security and defence cooperation as both sides agreed that terrorism, violent extremism and transnational organised crime remained major threats that required coordinated responses.
They consequently identified intelligence sharing, institutional cooperation and closer coordination as essential to tackling the threats more effectively.
The two sides posited that stronger economic cooperation would reinforce security efforts by improving livelihoods and creating sustainable opportunities for citizens.
Endoni reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to support initiatives capable of strengthening bilateral relations and promoting mutually beneficial opportunities.
The Nigerian ambassador said security and development should not be treated as separate objectives.
He maintained that closer economic and agricultural partnerships could help strengthen food security, support livelihoods and complement counter-terrorism efforts.
Endoni also stressed the importance of stronger engagement between institutions and private-sector actors in both countries, saying the meeting provided an opportunity to establish a broader framework for renewed Nigeria-Burkina Faso cooperation.
Both sides expressed interest in more regular consultations covering security, defence, agriculture, economic relations and people-to-people exchanges.
Nigeria and Burkina Faso said closer institutional engagement could help address common security challenges while expanding economic and social cooperation.
The meeting reaffirmed the enduring bonds of friendship between both countries and their shared interest in a more secure and prosperous West Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Nick Nicholas
Comments