Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France as Paris calls decision ‘hostile and baseless’

The military-led government of Burkina Faso announced on Friday, 26 June, that it was cutting off diplomatic relations with France, accusing Paris of failing to honour commitments of mutual respect and non-interference, as stated by Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo on state television.

Tensions between Ouagadougou and Paris have escalated sharply since the army and Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power through a coup in September 2022. This souring was evident in the demand for the withdrawal of French soldiers stationed in the West African nation and the expulsion of diplomats, including France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou.

Seeking to broaden its alliances, Burkina Faso has drawn closer to Russia and its neighbours Mali and Niger, both also under military rule.

Paris weighs ‘reciprocal measures’

Friday’s announcement triggered an immediate response from Paris. On Saturday, France condemned the ‘unilateral’, ‘hostile and baseless’ move by Burkina Faso and said it was considering ‘reciprocal measures’, the French foreign ministry stated.

‘France regrets this hostile and unfounded decision, which highlights the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities. The necessary reciprocal measures are being examined,’ the Quai d’Orsay declared, while urging French nationals in the country to exercise ‘heightened vigilance.’