The West African nation of Burkina Faso, under the leadership of military junta chief Ibrahim Traoré, declared its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Paris last Friday.
All French diplomatic personnel stationed in Burkina Faso have now returned home, having departed “late last week.” In a reciprocal move, Burkinabe diplomatic staff have been instructed to leave France by this coming Monday, July 6.
Following Ouagadougou’s unilateral declaration on June 26 to terminate diplomatic relations with France, the Burkinabe chargé d’affaires in Paris received a summons to the French ministry last Monday. There, officials conveyed that, in a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabe diplomatic staff were required to depart France within seven days, setting a deadline for this Monday evening.
“This hostile and baseless decision, which underscores the concerning trajectory of the Burkinabe authorities, is deeply regrettable,” French officials reiterated. “We have taken the necessary steps in response,” they emphasized.
Furthermore, the French ministry vehemently refuted allegations of French support for terrorist groups, describing these claims as “entirely false.” These unfounded accusations, they noted, were among the reasons cited by Ouagadougou for initiating the diplomatic rupture.
“We unequivocally condemn all terrorist attacks and the atrocities perpetrated against civilians across the Sahel region,” French authorities affirmed. “Our full support remains with the affected populations, who bear the brunt of this ongoing crisis.”
Paris underscored France’s well-known global commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, noting the significant sacrifices made. “In light of the current situation, we urge French nationals to exercise heightened vigilance,” the ministry advised.
Ministry figures indicate that more than 2,000 French citizens are currently registered with consular services in Burkina Faso, while upwards of 6,000 Burkinabe nationals reside in France.
Escalating tensions and accusations
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in Ouagadougou through a coup d’état in September 2022, has since steered the nation with a sovereignist agenda. This policy has been marked by repression against dissenting voices and a clear hostility towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabe government has repeatedly accused Paris of “incessant activism” against its national interests, though it maintains that the people-to-people relations remain unaffected.
Shortly after consolidating power in 2023, the junta initiated a series of decisive actions. These included demanding the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade, repudiating a long-standing military pact with Paris, and ultimately facilitating the withdrawal of French forces. These troops had been instrumental for a decade in combating jihadist groups destabilizing the West African nation. Subsequently, the regime intensified its criticisms of France while actively forging new alliances with countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran.
