Burkina Faso, under the leadership of military junta chief Ibrahim Traoré, declared its decision last Friday to sever diplomatic relations with Paris.

All French diplomats stationed in Burkina Faso have returned to France as of late last week. Concurrently, the Burkinabè diplomatic staff in France has been instructed to depart by Monday, July 6, according to statements from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Burkinabè chargé d’affaires in Paris was summoned to the French ministry last Monday, following Ouagadougou’s unilateral announcement on June 26 to terminate diplomatic relations with France. The Quai d’Orsay clarified that, in a move of reciprocity, the Burkinabè diplomatic personnel were informed they must also leave France within seven days, by this Monday evening.

The Quai d’Orsay expressed its deep regret regarding this “hostile and unfounded decision,” highlighting what it described as a “worrying drift” by the Burkinabè authorities. “We have drawn the necessary conclusions,” the ministry affirmed.

Furthermore, the French ministry vehemently denied any French support for terrorist groups, dismissing these claims as “completely false.” Such allegations were notably cited by Ouagadougou authorities as a basis for severing ties with Paris, according to the ministry’s response.

“We firmly condemn all terrorist attacks and the atrocities committed against civilians across the Sahel region,” the ministry added, “and we reiterate our unwavering support for the populations who bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis.”

The Quai d’Orsay emphasized France’s globally recognized commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, noting the significant sacrifices it has made. In light of the current situation, French nationals are urged to exercise heightened vigilance.

The ministry reported that over 2,000 French citizens are registered with the consular services in Burkina Faso, while more than 6,000 Burkinabè nationals reside in France.

Escalating Tensions in Ouagadougou

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power through a coup d’état in September 2022, has steered Burkina Faso towards a sovereignist policy from Ouagadougou. This approach is characterized by repression of critical voices and a pronounced hostility towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabè government, while assuring that people-to-people relations remain unaffected, has accused Paris of “incessant activism” detrimental to its national interests.

As early as 2023, mere months after assuming control, the junta demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade. It subsequently renounced a military agreement with Paris and orchestrated the withdrawal of the French army, which had for a decade been actively engaged in combating jihadist groups destabilizing the nation. Since then, the regime has intensified its criticisms of France and actively pursued alliances with new international partners, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran.