Burkina Faso will restart diplomatic relations with North Korea in part to invigorate weapons trade between the two countries, its military government announced Thursday.

Ouagadougou’s presidential office issued a press release stating that a ministerial council “approved an agreement for the appointment of an ambassador of the DPRK to Burkina Faso.” 

The move will facilitate “exemplary” bilateral cooperation in the “security sector […] through granting our country military equipment and materials,” according to the office. Foreign minister Olivia Rouamba added in a statement that Chae Hui Chol will represent the DPRK in Burkina Faso, acting from his residence in Dakar.