Dr Tulia tours Burkina Faso in IPU’s bid to deepen inter-parliamentary ties, security

OUGADOUGOU: THE President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr Tulia Ackson, has met with the Speaker of the Parliament of Burkina Faso, Dr Ousmane Bougouma, in Ouagadougou during her official working visit aimed at strengthening parliamentary cooperation and expressing the IPU’s solidarity with the West African nation.

During their meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of Burkina Faso. They also discussed the challenges facing the country, particularly those related to security and the humanitarian situation.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Ackson said her visit was intended to convey a message of solidarity to the people, government, and parliament of Burkina Faso as the country continues to face significant security and humanitarian challenges.

She commended the Burkina Faso authorities for their efforts to restore peace and stability, as well as for their cooperation with neighboring Mali and Niger in the fight against terrorism. Dr Ackson reaffirmed the IPU’s readiness to support these efforts through parliamentary cooperation and institutional partnerships.

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The IPU President also acknowledged Burkina Faso’s progress in strengthening its governance institutions, noting that the development of the country’s parliament reflects its commitment to promoting good governance and responding to the aspirations of its citizens.

Looking ahead, Dr Ackson pledged that the Inter-Parliamentary Union would continue supporting the Parliament of Burkina Faso through capacity-building programmes for members of parliament and parliamentary staff.

She explained that these initiatives would focus on strengthening legislative processes, enhancing parliamentary oversight of the executive, and improving the parliament’s capacity to address security challenges. The objective, she said, is to build a more effective, inclusive, and citizen-centered parliament.

The meeting underscored the shared commitment of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Parliament of Burkina Faso to deepen cooperation, strengthen parliamentary institutions, promote good governance, and advance democratic governance in the interest of the people.