TORONTO, Canada, December 3, 2015/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today made the following statement:
“Canada joins the international community in congratulating Burkina Faso on its exemplary and historic elections, carried out peacefully and respectfully on November 29.
“These free, credible and transparent elections demonstrate the democratic maturity of the Burkinan people and their leaders. We also note the outstanding work of the transitional government and congratulate the Commission électorale nationale indépendante [independent national electoral commission] for having ensured the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
“Canada reiterates that it will continue to be a major trading partner of Burkina Faso’s, as well as remaining engaged in bilateral development aid.”
“We would like to congratulate not only the elected candidates, but also those who were defeated and have accepted the decision of the Burkinan people. In a democracy, one can always hope to be the winner the next time around.”
