The final departure of French diplomats from Burkina Faso has now concluded, aligning with the diplomatic roadmap initiated by Ouagadougou. This move follows the unilateral decision by Captain Ibrahim Traoré‘s regime on June 26 to sever diplomatic ties with France. Ouagadougou had accused Paris of “incessant activism” against its national interests and of providing support to “subversive networks.”

In response to Burkina Faso’s announcement, the French Foreign Ministry, known as the Quai d’Orsay, summoned the Burkinabé chargé d’affaires in Paris. In a move reflecting diplomatic reciprocity, French officials informed their Burkinabé counterparts that their diplomatic personnel were required to depart France within a seven-day period, a deadline that expired this past Monday evening.

Authorities in Ouagadougou have repeatedly claimed that France is backing terrorist organizations within the region. Paris vehemently refutes these accusations, labeling them “completely false.” The French Foreign Ministry emphasized its strong condemnation of all terrorist attacks and reaffirmed its unwavering support for the populations who are the primary victims of the ongoing crisis in the Sahel.

This significant diplomatic rupture in West Africa follows a series of escalating tensions, including the earlier withdrawal of French military forces from Burkina Faso and the recall of the French ambassador from Ouagadougou. Concurrently, Burkinabé authorities have been actively forging closer ties with alternative international partners, most notably Russia, signaling a shift in its foreign policy alignment.