SG/SM/17437-AFR/3294

Secretary-General, Applauding New Burkina Faso President on Inauguration, Also Hails ‘Statesmanship’ Displayed by Transitional Authorities

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the occasion of the inauguration of Roch Marc Christian Kaboré as President of Burkina Faso, in Ouagadougou today:

I warmly congratulate Your Excellency Mr. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré on your inauguration today as President of Burkina Faso.  I wish you every success in the fulfilment of your new mandate to guide your country towards stability, democratic governance, the protection of human rights and economic development.

This is a historic moment for Burkina Faso.  I commend the country’s people and political leaders for their exemplary conduct and peaceful and responsible participation during the vote of 29 November that successfully marked the end of the transition period.

I would also like to take the opportunity to praise the opposition leaders, who promptly offered their congratulations to the President-elect.  I also commend His Excellency Mr. [Michel] Kafando and all transitional authorities for their tireless efforts to ensure the holding of the presidential and legislative elections in a timely manner, and for the statesmanship they demonstrated during the transition process, particularly in overcoming the many challenges and difficulties that emerged during that period.

The successful completion of elections in Burkina Faso is a significant development not only for the country but also for the Sahel region, where socioeconomic hardship and contested electoral processes continue to be a source of tension, and at a time when terrorist groups, illicit trafficking and irregular migration continue to threaten regional security.

Many priorities and formidable challenges await the new Government.  These include moving ahead with an inclusive national reconciliation process and continuing to reform the security sector.  The United Nations remains committed to supporting you along the path of peace, democratic governance and equitable socioeconomic development.  The United Nations will also continue to work closely with regional organizations such as the African Union, ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] and the Lake Chad Basin Commission to help the Sahel region tackle the root causes of instability and fragility, including with regard to security, governance and resilient livelihoods.

In that spirit of partnership, please accept my congratulations, as well as my best wishes, for the success of the important work that lies ahead.

For information media. Not an official record.