ECOWAS Currency Push: ECOWAS leaders at the 69th summit reaffirmed plans to launch the ECO single currency in 2027, with countries meeting convergence criteria first and others supported later, as part of wider regional integration. ECOWAS Leadership Shift: Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye was elected rotating ECOWAS chair, succeeding Sierra Leone’s Julius Maada Bio, with a focus on security, reforms, and keeping dialogue open with Sahel states outside the bloc. Burkina Faso Diplomacy: Inter-Parliamentary Union President Dr Tulia Ackson met Burkina Faso’s parliament speaker in Ouagadougou, pledging solidarity and support amid security and humanitarian pressures. Burkina Faso Security & Industry: Burkina Faso unveiled progress in locally designed and built armoured vehicles for its soldiers, signaling a push toward homegrown defence capacity. Burkina Faso Religion Policy: President Ibrahim Traoré reiterated that Burkina Faso will not implement Sharia law and said people who went to Saudi Arabia to study it will not be allowed to return. Sahel Violence: Reports say jihadist and separatist attacks killed at least 50 Malian soldiers near Anefis, while Niger also recorded a deadly militant attack on soldiers. UN Humanitarian Coordination: The UN appointed Cameroonian Njoya Tikum as Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Burkina Faso to strengthen aid and development coordination. Regional Trade Relief: Ghana and Burkina Faso lifted key agricultural trade restrictions, reopening egg exports and resuming tomato imports, with a joint technical committee to prevent repeat disputes. Travel Advisory: The US placed Burkina Faso among countries under Level 4 “Do Not Travel,” citing security threats and limited consular services. Sports (Burkina Faso in focus): Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrived in Abidjan for the WAFU B U-20 Championship, where they will face Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in Group B.