Under the leadership of military junta chief Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso declared on Friday its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Paris.

All French diplomatic staff stationed in Burkina Faso have returned to France “late last week,” while Burkinabè diplomatic personnel are required to depart France by Monday, July 6. This development was confirmed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Burkina Faso’s chargé d’affaires in Paris received a summons to the French ministry last Monday, following the June 26 unilateral declaration by Ouagadougou authorities to terminate diplomatic ties with France. The Quai d’Orsay specified that, “in a spirit of reciprocity,” the Burkinabè diplomatic staff were informed they must also vacate France within seven days, meaning by this Monday evening.

The Quai d’Orsay once again voiced its regret, labeling the decision as “hostile and baseless,” and indicative of a “worrying drift” by the Burkinabè authorities. “We have drawn the necessary conclusions,” the ministry emphasized.

Furthermore, the French ministry vehemently refuted any claims of French support for terrorist organizations. These allegations, described as “completely false,” were notably cited by Ouagadougou’s leadership as a justification for severing relations with Paris, the ministry responded.

“We strongly condemn all terrorist attacks, alongside the atrocities committed against civilians across the Sahel, and reiterate our unwavering support for the populations, who bear the brunt of the ongoing crisis,” the statement continued.

The Quai d’Orsay highlighted France’s widely recognized commitment to global counter-terrorism efforts, noting the significant sacrifices made. “Given this specific context, we urge French nationals to exercise heightened vigilance,” it added.

Ministry figures indicate 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 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 is characterized by repression against dissenting voices and a marked hostility towards Western nations, particularly France. The Burkinabè government has leveled accusations against Paris for “incessant activism” detrimental to its interests, though it maintains that relations between the two peoples remain unaffected.

As early as 2023, merely months after assuming control, the junta demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade. It also repudiated a military accord with Paris and secured the withdrawal of French troops, who had for a decade been instrumental in combating jihadist groups destabilizing the nation. Subsequently, the regime intensified its verbal attacks against France, pivoting instead towards new international alliances with countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Iran.