Burkina Faso has officially severed diplomatic relations with France, which condemns the move as “hostile and baseless” and is considering reciprocal measures.

Tensions between Ouagadougou and Paris have escalated further. On Friday, June 26, 2026, Burkina Faso announced the rupture of diplomatic ties with France, marking another milestone in the worsening relationship between Ouagadougou and its former colonial power.

In a statement read on national television, Burkinabè authorities denounced “the incessant activism of the French regime against Burkina Faso’s interests, openly neo-colonial ambitions with active support for subversive networks and terrorists who bring grief to our country and the Sahel.”

Ouagadougou also stressed that the decision “targets exclusively the institutional framework of relations between the two states at the diplomatic level” and “does not in any way affect the historical, human, cultural and social ties that unite the Burkinabè and French peoples,” affirming its commitment to ensuring the protection of nationals.

France considers reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso’s move

Acknowledging this “unilateral decision,” the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over a “hostile and baseless” decision, while indicating that reciprocal measures are under consideration.

“French authorities are paying special attention to the safety of state personnel present in the country and the French community residing in Burkina Faso. In this particular context, they call on French nationals to exercise reinforced vigilance,” said French diplomatic spokesperson Pascal Confavreux.

Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power through a coup d’état in September 2022, relations between Burkina Faso and France have steadily deteriorated. Ouagadougou notably secured the withdrawal of French forces from its territory, denounced military cooperation agreements, and suspended several French media outlets.

Burkina Faso, a member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger, has simultaneously strengthened partnerships with new allies, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran.