U.S. Ambassador For Sahel J. Peter Pham Travels to Burkina Faso to Meet With President Kaboré
(credit: U.S Department of State) U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel Region Ambassador J. Peter Pham
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel Region Ambassador J. Peter Pham is visiting Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso meeting with newly-elected President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré. The American delegation will include United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso Sandra E. Clark. Kaboré was re-elected as President of the west African nation of Burkina Faso in the November 26, 2020 election, winning a majority in the voting. In addition to inauguration-related events, Ambassador Pham will participate in bilateral meetings with President Kaboré and other Government of Burkina Faso officials where he will reaffirm the strength of the U.S.-Burkina Faso partnership in advancing regional peace and security, foster economic development, and promote democracy and respect for human rights.
Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (credit: wikipedia commons)
— Roch KABORE (@rochkaborepf) December 28, 2020
C'est un honneur d'être désigné par @POTUS @realDonaldTrump pour le représenter à l'investiture de S.E.M. @rochkaborepf. Notre délégation renforce le solide partenariat bilatéral entre les #USA et le #BurkinaFaso. @Usembassyouaga @presidencebf #lwilihttps://t.co/InLP8WjZGy
— Dr. J. Peter Pham (@DrJPPham) December 28, 2020
Many opposition figures contend the election was marred by bribery and irregularities, while independent commentators are of the opinion the election was the most open in years.
U.S. Ambassador Sandra Clark Congratulates Burkina Faso on Peaceful Elections
U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso Sandra Clark (credit:bf.usembassy.gov)
“ The United States commends the people of Burkina Faso for the peaceful conduct of their November 22 presidential and legislative elections,” Ambassador Clark said. “ Burkinabe voters participated in their country’s democratic process despite security challenges and expressed their will for the future at the ballot box. A vibrant democracy is a strong defense against extremist forces that seek to undermine the country’s values.”
-U.S. Ambassador to Burkina Faso Sandra Clark said in a statement after the election
U.S. Appoints Dr. Pham As First-Ever Special Envoy For Africa SAHEL As Terror Attacks Escalate
Secretary of State Michael Pompeo appointed Dr. Pham in March 2019 as the first-ever U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel region of Africa to maximize American diplomatic efforts in support of stability amid an unprecedented surge in terror attacks. Special Envoy Pham is responsible for coordinating America’s engagement with international and regional partners, including the G5 Sahel and ECOWAS member states, to address the threat from Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs) and prevent the VEO threat from impacting additional areas, as well as supporting the implementation of the Algiers Accord and regional efforts to stabilize the tri-border region of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
