Burkina Faso’s military government announced on Friday, June 26, that it is severing all diplomatic relations with France. Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo made the announcement on state television, accusing Paris of failing to uphold its commitments to mutual respect and non-interference.
Tensions between Ouagadougou and Paris have escalated sharply since the military seized power in a coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré in September 2022. The deterioration deepened when Burkina Faso demanded the withdrawal of French troops stationed in the West African nation and expelled several diplomats, including the French ambassador to Ouagadougou.
In a bid to broaden its international partnerships, Ouagadougou has increasingly turned to Russia and its neighbors Mali and Niger, both of which are also under military rule.
Paris weighs reciprocal measures
France reacted swiftly to the move. On Saturday, the French foreign ministry condemned what it described as a “unilateral,” “hostile and baseless” decision and said it is considering countermeasures. A statement from the Quai d’Orsay read: “France regrets this hostile and baseless decision, which reflects the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities. The necessary reciprocal measures are currently being examined.” The ministry also urged French nationals in Burkina Faso to exercise “enhanced vigilance.”
