Washington, DC – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Michael McCaul, Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the most recent coup in Burkina Faso:

“We condemn the military coup in Burkina Faso, which represents the country’s second unconstitutional transfer of power in less than a year. This most recent coup is part of a larger, more alarming picture of anti-democratic movements in West Africa that essentially strip citizens of their right to choose their leaders. We are also deeply concerned by reports of Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin’s support for the latest self-declared military leader of Burkina Faso and will continue to press for actions to address against Russian proxies that are destabilizing the region. The United States stands with the Burkinabe people and will continue to support those who work to ensure democracy, accountable and inclusive governance, and durable peace and security.”

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