Burkina Faso, under the leadership of military junta chief Ibrahim Traoré, announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Paris last Friday. This move has prompted France to recall all its diplomats from the West African nation.

All French diplomatic personnel stationed in Burkina Faso returned to France by the end of last week, as confirmed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a reciprocal measure, Burkinabè diplomatic staff have been instructed to depart France by Monday, July 6.

The chargé d’affaires for Burkina Faso in Paris was summoned to the French ministry last Monday. This meeting followed Ouagadougou’s unilateral announcement on June 26 to terminate diplomatic ties with France. During the meeting, it was conveyed that, in a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabè diplomatic personnel must also leave France within seven days, which concludes this Monday evening, according to the Quai d’Orsay.

France has reiterated its strong disapproval of this decision, describing it as “hostile and unfounded.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep regret, stating that the move “illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabè authorities” and that France has “drawn the consequences.”

Furthermore, the French ministry vehemently denied any support for terrorist groups, dismissing these allegations as “completely false.” Such claims were reportedly cited by Ouagadougou as a reason for breaking off relations with Paris.

France firmly condemns all terrorist attacks and the atrocities committed against civilians across the Sahel region. We reaffirm our full solidarity with the populations, who are the primary victims of the ongoing crisis, the ministry added.

The Quai d’Orsay underscored France’s globally recognized commitment to counter-terrorism efforts, noting the heavy toll it has paid. In light of the current volatile situation, French nationals residing in Burkina Faso are urged to exercise heightened vigilance.

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

Persistent instability and policy shifts

Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power through a coup d’état in September 2022, has steered Ouagadougou towards a sovereignist policy. This approach has been marked by repression against critical voices and an increasingly hostile stance towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabè government accuses Paris of “incessant activism” against its national interests, though it maintains that relations between the peoples themselves remain unaffected.

In 2023, just months after assuming control, the junta demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade. This was followed by the denunciation of a military agreement with Paris and the subsequent withdrawal of French troops, who had long been instrumental in combating jihadist groups plaguing the country for a decade. Since then, the regime has intensified its criticisms of France and has actively pursued new international partnerships, notably with Russia, Turkey, and Iran.