Burkina Faso continues to face significant challenges related to security and
food insecurity and remains committed to addressing them. The authorities have formed
the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) with Mali and Niger; while they decided to leave
ECOWAS in January, they have since reaffirmed their commitment to WAEMU
membership. The authorities have in May extended the political transition with elections
now planned to take place in five years, and the risk of further political instability remains
high. Fund relations have remained strong and collaborative.