A potential diplomatic conflict could be on the horizon as Burkina Faso’s Military leader Ibrahim Traoré has revealed that his country will be seeking consultation with Mali and Niger before making a final decision on whether to permit Ghanaian traders and other West African nationals to engage in business activities within their borders.
Traoré emphasized that a final resolution on this matter would only be established following extensive consultation between the leaders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
He pledged that Burkina Faso remained committed to a pan-African mindset, stating, “Anyone in Africa or any African who wishes to come to Burkina is welcomed. We will determine what measures to take in due course with regard to traders coming from Ghana, Nigeria, and other West African countries.”
This revelation comes following the official announcement by the three nations of their departure from the sub-regional ECOWAS trading bloc. The news has raised concerns from the Ghana Union of Traders (GUTA) as they fear that the imports of vegetables and other livestock from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger would be adversely affected.
GUTA President, Dr. Joseph Obeng, expressed his apprehension, saying, “This thing is going to affect us more than the other member states. We should bypass the ECOWAS to find an immediate solution.” He cited concerns about the impact on cross-border trading activities, including the shipment of cola nuts to Niger, the import of onions and tomatoes, as well as the bulk of goods that Burkinabes purchase from Ghana.
Ibrahim Traore also defended the departure from ECOWAS, asserting that it was a well-considered decision and not an impulsive act. “It’s not a burst of anger. If it was an outburst, we would have done it a long time ago,” he stated.
