Written by: Badr Ahmed

In a move reflecting Burkina Faso’s intentions to reformulate its foreign policy on the basis of national sovereignty and new regional alliances, the Burkinabe Prime Minister received a delegation from the Association of Retired Ambassadors to discuss ways to benefit from their diplomatic expertise in supporting the state’s directions during the current stage.

The meeting, held on Monday, May 18, 2026, came at a time when the Sahel region of Africa is witnessing rapid political and geopolitical transformations, which have prompted a number of countries in the region to reassess their foreign relations and build new approaches based on strengthening political independence and reducing dependence on traditional powers.

The delegation included former ambassadors, consuls general, and ministers plenipotentiary, who affirmed during the meeting their readiness to put their expertise at the service of the state, especially with regard to managing diplomatic files and enhancing Burkina Faso’s influence within the African continent and on the international stage.

The association’s vice president, Omar Diawara, said that the world is witnessing radical transformations that require developing Burkinabe diplomacy tools in line with the new vision based on national sovereignty and comprehensive development, explaining that the meeting with the head of government aims to bridge the gap between the past and the present and to benefit from previous experiences in formulating more independent policies.

Burkina Faso is relying on its former diplomats to counter geopolitical shifts.

Diawara noted that the former ambassadors support the government’s approach to strengthening soft power diplomacy and building strategic partnerships that serve the country’s interests, pointing out that the association has already contributed to a number of national initiatives, including supporting the National Support Fund and the Faso Mebou Initiative. .

The delegation also revealed ongoing consultations to establish a forum that brings together former ambassadors of the Sahel countries, with the aim of exchanging experiences and coordinating diplomatic visions among the countries of the region. This idea was welcomed by the Prime Minister, who considered it consistent with the escalating political and diplomatic activity among the Sahel countries.

This trend comes amid growing coordination between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, as part of efforts to build a more independent regional bloc in the face of the security, political and economic challenges facing the region.

The Burkinabe Prime Minister stressed that the experience accumulated by former diplomats represents a strategic asset that can help the country understand international transformations and build a foreign policy more capable of protecting national interests and enhancing Burkina Faso’s regional presence.