The military leadership of Burkina Faso has officially announced the termination of diplomatic relations with France. This decision, made public on Friday, June 26, was communicated by Gilbert Ouedraogo, the Minister of Communication, during a national broadcast. The government cited a failure by Paris to uphold principles of mutual respect and non-interference as the primary reason for the break.
Diplomatic friction between Ouagadougou and Paris has intensified since Captain Ibrahim Traoré took power in the September 2022 coup. The relationship has been marked by a series of escalations, including the mandated withdrawal of French military personnel from the country and the expulsion of high-ranking diplomats, such as the French ambassador stationed in the capital.
Seeking to broaden its international alliances, Burkina Faso has notably moved closer to Russia. It is also reinforcing its cooperation with neighboring Mali and Niger, both of which are similarly led by military administrations.
Paris considers retaliatory actions
The announcement triggered a sharp response from the French government. On Saturday, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the move, labeling it a “unilateral” and “hostile” act without any legitimate basis. Paris is currently reviewing “reciprocity measures” in response to the decision.
The French foreign ministry expressed concern over the current political trajectory in Burkina Faso, describing the latest development as a “worrying drift.” In light of the diplomatic breakdown, French nationals currently in the country have been urged to maintain a state of heightened vigilance.