The President of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, visited Burkina Faso on July 16, 2026, following a trip to Bamako. During the working visit, Youssouf advocated for continued cooperation between Burkina Faso and the AU. He also stressed the importance of improved relations between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The AU is calling on the Burkinabè transitional authorities to broaden the political landscape and move towards elections. These requests are part of a broader appeal to conclude the ongoing political process. The visit underscores the AU’s engagement in resolving political tensions within the Sahel region.