Burkina Faso, under the leadership of military junta chief Captain Ibrahim Traoré, officially declared a rupture in its diplomatic ties with Paris last Friday. This significant decision has prompted immediate reactions from France.

All French diplomatic personnel stationed in Burkina Faso returned to France by the end of last week. In a reciprocal move, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Burkinabe diplomatic staff are now required to depart France by Monday, July 6.

The chargé d’affaires for Burkina Faso in Paris was summoned to the French ministry this past Monday. This meeting followed Ouagadougou’s unilateral announcement on June 26 to sever diplomatic relations with France. During the summons, it was conveyed that, in a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabe diplomatic personnel must also leave France within a seven-day period, concluding by Monday evening.

France expressed profound regret over this decision, labeling it as both hostile and baseless. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that this action underscores a concerning trajectory taken by the Burkinabe authorities, affirming that France has taken necessary measures in response.

Furthermore, the French ministry vehemently denied any allegations of supporting terrorist organizations. It dismissed these claims as “completely false,” noting that such accusations were among the justifications cited by Ouagadougou for the diplomatic breakdown.

We unequivocally condemn all acts of terrorism and the atrocities committed against civilians across the Sahel region. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the populations who bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis in the area, a critical aspect of the security Sahel landscape.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs underscored France’s globally recognized commitment to combating terrorism, a fight for which it has paid a substantial price. In light of the current volatile situation, French nationals residing in Burkina Faso are strongly urged to exercise heightened vigilance.

Official figures indicate that over 2,000 French citizens are registered with the consular services in Burkina Faso, while more than 6,000 Burkinabe nationals currently reside in France.

Persistent Tensions and Policy Shifts

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power through a coup d’état in September 2022, has implemented a staunchly sovereignist policy in Ouagadougou. This approach has been characterized by repression against dissenting voices and a marked hostility towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabe government has accused Paris of “incessant activism” against its national interests, though it maintains that relations between the peoples themselves remain unaffected.

Early in 2023, mere months after the junta assumed control, it demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade. Concurrently, it renounced a long-standing military agreement with Paris and orchestrated the withdrawal of French forces, who had been actively engaged for a decade in the fight against jihadist groups destabilizing the country. Since then, the regime has intensified its critical rhetoric against France, simultaneously forging new partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran, signaling a significant shift in its international alignment within the political Sahel.