• Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio visited Burkina Faso on September 16.
• The trip was aimed at showing support for peace and regional integration under ECOWAS.
• Talks focused on bilateral ties, regional unity, and international relations.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio paid a working visit to Ouagadougou on September 16, where he was received by Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. It was his second trip to the country since Traoré came to power.

The visit was described as a gesture of fraternity, aimed at reaffirming Sierra Leone’s support and that of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for Burkina Faso’s pursuit of peace and stability. As current ECOWAS chair, Bio stressed unity and solidarity across West Africa.

“We are brothers, we cannot be divided. My visit is an act of solidarity to show the President and the people of Burkina Faso that they are not alone. We will do everything possible to ensure peace returns to this country,” Bio said.

During their talks, the two heads of state discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation, regional integration, and international relations.

Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone have seen closer ties in recent years, marked by stronger diplomatic exchanges and aligned political positions on regional matters.

In August 2024, while serving as rotating president of the UN Security Council, Bio had already visited Burkina Faso to assess the country’s security challenges.