The Islamic Committee of the International Crescent (ICIC) Participates in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) delegation visiting Ouagadougou, Republic of Burkina Faso August 13-17, 2025
Dr. Mohamed H. Elasbali, ICIC Executive Director, participated in a high-level delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its humanitarian and development institutions that visited Burkina Faso on August 13-17, 2025. The delegation was headed by Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Social and Cultural Affairs, and included Dr. Mohammed bin Sulaiman Aba Al-Khail, Executive Director of the Islamic Solidarity Fund (ISF), and Mr. Salam Kafando, Representative of the Islamic Development Bank(IDB) in Burkina Faso, along with a number of senior officials from the OIC General Secretariat and relevant institutions.
The delegation received by H. E. Mr. Karamoko The delegation received by H. E. Mr. Jean- Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Prime Minister.
On the first day of the visit, August 13, 2025, the OIC delegation received by H. E. Mr. Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabés Abroad, in the presence of H. E. Ms. P. Stella Elden Kabre Kaboré, Minister Delegate in Charge of Regional Cooperation. The head of the POIC delegation delivered a written letter from H. E. Mr. Hussein Ibrahim Taha, OIC Secretary General, informing that this visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Burkina Faso and the OIC, and to express the solidarity and support of the OIC and its relevant institutions for the government and people of Burkina Faso, whose country faces humanitarian challenges due to the security conditions in some areas, a plenary session attended by the Minister and ministry officials reviewed cooperation topics, particularly in the humanitarian field, the representatives of ISF,ICIC and IDB participated. The OIC delegation also met with H. E. Basuinde-Bilage Kaboré, Minister of Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity in Burkina Faso, in the presence of senior officials from her ministry, the humanitarian programs funded by ISF for the economic empowerment of displaced women, implemented by the ministry, were reviewed. This support commended, and a list of humanitarian needs requested. The representative ICIC stated that there is a cooperative relationship with the Burkinabe Red Cross Society, and that a meeting will be held with the Secretary General of Red Cross to determine the humanitarian needs, which will be included in a humanitarian appeal directed to the Red Crescent and Red Cross societies. At the conclusion of this meeting, it were agreed to develop humanitarian aid agreements between the ISF and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs at a later date.
On August 14, 2025, the OIC delegation received by H. E. Mr. Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, in his office, discussions addressed the humanitarian and security situation in Burkina Faso, the efforts made by the Burkinabe authorities to address the crisis, and the best ways and means by which the OIC and its humanitarian and development institutions can support these efforts, the meetings also reviewed bilateral cooperation, emphasizing some important achievements and future action plans to be implemented jointly, H. E. the Prime Minister addressed the OIC delegation and expressed his appreciation for the position of the OIC and its institutions concerned with humanitarian work. On August 15, the OIC delegation and its humanitarian and development institutions visited internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Kaya region to inspect the Women’s Empowerment Project, funded by the ISF in 2023. The OIC delegation were briefed on the project’s positive impact and on the beneficiaries, who have begun engaging in income-generating activities in displacement sites, thanks to capacity-building programs and practical tools provided by the OIC. This was highly appreciated by stakeholders and local authorities. The OIC delegation also briefed on the humanitarian needs of the IDPs and affirmed its commitment to mobilizing further aid for those affected in Kaya. The visit also included other important meetings with the highest authorities in Burkina Faso and the signing of important agreements to implement future humanitarian projects.
Meetings:
Several bilateral meetings were held regarding ICIC bilateral relations ,these meetings were held with H. E. Ambassador Tariq Bakhit, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Cultural, Social, and Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Zungarana Lazar, Secretary-General of the Burkina Faso Red Cross Society, Mr. Mohamed Aba Al-Khail, ISF Executive Director, and Ambassador Ali Timi, Director of the OIC Regional Office for the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, topics of mutual interest were discussed.
