MONROVIA – The European Union’s Special Representative for the Sahel, H.E. Joao Gome Cravinho, has criticized Burkina Faso’s recent alignment with Russia in its fight against terrorism, calling it “not a wise choice” while emphasizing that the EU still respects the country’s sovereign decisions.
Speaking at a press conference with Liberian journalists in Monrovia during a special visit to Liberia, Cravinho explained that the EU has refrained from working directly with the military governments of Sahel countries like Burkina Faso, which has chosen military alliances with Russia, but it’s instead supporting development, humanitarian assistance, and civilian-led security sector reforms.
“In Mali and to a lesser degree in Burkina Faso, they have chosen to partner with Russia in fighting against terrorism. We don’t think this is a wise choice, but we respect it as a sovereign choice,” João Cravinho stated. “As a result of that, we are not working directly with the military governments, the armed forces of these countries that have military governments.”
Instead, the EU, according to Cravinho, has maintained a civilian security presence, including missions like EUCAP Sahel that works with the training of police, training of bodyguards, work with rule of law agencies, and enhancing the capacity of judges and that the EU support is only based on what those countries want and then for direct military contributions, the countries turn to Russian he told the media.
The EU Representative admitted that early assumptions by Sahelian military leaders that terrorism could be resolved purely through force were misplaced. “They have not been very successful because the situation got worse and not better militarily, but this is something that we must respect as a sovereign decision,” he said.
He noted that while the EU will not cooperate with Russian-backed military operations, it is still committed to supporting development, humanitarian assistance, and civilian-led security sector reforms.
One such effort includes the EU’s work on the Ouagadougou and Abidjan corridor, a vital trade and agricultural route for Burkina Faso. The EU has invested in supporting local economies and creating conditions for people to survive and thrive amid the growing insecurity in the region.
Cravinho’s visit to Liberia came amid rising public concerns over the influx of Burkinabé nationals into the country, many entering illegally amid ongoing terrorist violence in their homeland.
While Liberia is not geographically within the Sahel region, Cravinho emphasized that instability in the Sahel has direct implications for West African countries, including Liberia. “Migration from the Sahel into places like Liberia risks Liberia’s peace and security,” he warned.
During engagements with Liberian government institutions, civil society, other key stakeholders, and security officials, Cravinho said he listened to the Liberian perspective on the Sahel crisis and explored areas for potential collaboration between the EU and Liberia.
Key concerns raised during his visit included the porous nature of Liberia’s borders, which national security actors described as “problematic.” These border weaknesses, officials said, have contributed to rising levels of trafficking, including human trafficking and undocumented migration, especially from Sahelian states like Burkina Faso.
Cravinho acknowledged that the influx of Burkinabé refugees has raised alarms among Liberians. “Many people are looking at the issue and asking: since there is so much terrorism in Burkina Faso, and you don’t know exactly who these people are, could they be terrorists coming across the borders?” he noted.
However, he clarified that there is no current evidence to support the claim that terrorist elements have crossed into Liberia with the wave of Burkinabé migrants. He attributed the migration to a combination of factors, including climate change, economic hardship, and growing insecurity in Burkina Faso.
Despite its current security challenges, Cravinho said Liberia remains a vital partner in the region. He emphasized that the EU is committed to supporting Liberia’s peace and development through enhanced collaboration, including capacity building for border security, support for the judiciary, and promoting economic resilience.
“Our contribution can only be what the authorities of the country wish it to be,” he said, underlining the EU’s approach to respectful partnership rather than intervention.
The EU Special Representative’s remarks come at a time when the Sahel is undergoing profound political and security transformations, with democratic institutions weakening and military regimes gaining ground. While partnerships with countries like Russia may offer short-term military support, the EU remains firm in its belief that sustainable peace will only come through civilian-led governance, socioeconomic investment, and international cooperation.
