Dakar, 12 April 2022 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mahamat Saleh ANNADIF, was today in Burkina Faso for a working visit.

The visit is part of UNOWAS' continued support to ECOWAS' efforts to help Burkina Faso emerge from the political, security and humanitarian crisis that is severely impacting the population.

In Ouagadougou, Mr. ANNADIF was received by the President of the Transition, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba. He also met with representatives of the diplomatic corps and the United Nations country team. He also visited the former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

In light of the deteriorating humanitarian, security, and food situation, the Special Representative called on the transitional authorities to take all necessary measures to reach a consensual timetable that would allow a return to constitutional order in Burkina Faso.

The Special Representative encouraged the transitional authorities to act in this direction in order to strengthen social cohesion and enable the people, who are already suffering, to enjoy a better future.

In line with the decisions of the last summit of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, Mr. ANNADIF called on the transitional authorities to ensure the full and unconditional freedom of former President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

Reaffirming the commitment of the United Nations, the Special Representative stressed the importance of coordinating efforts among the various partners, particularly with ECOWAS, to support Burkina Faso deal with this multidimensional crisis.