“The diplomatic split has been years in the making. Now France says it is considering its next move after Burkina Faso formally ended relations, accusing Paris of interfering in its internal affairs.”
France says it is considering reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso officially severed diplomatic relations, marking the latest and most serious breakdown in ties between the West African country and its former colonial ruler.
The announcement came on Friday from Burkina Faso’s Communications Minister, Gilbert Ouedraogo, who said the decision took immediate effect.
Reading a government statement on state television, Ouedraogo said the conditions needed for relations based on “mutual respect, reciprocal trust, respect for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and national sovereignty” no longer existed. He also accused France of supporting “subversive networks” and “terrorists” operating in Burkina Faso and across the Sahel. France has repeatedly denied those allegations.
Paris responded within hours.
In a statement, the French foreign ministry said it “regrets this hostile and unfounded decision, which illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities.” The ministry added that “the necessary reciprocal measures are under review.” It also urged French citizens still living in Burkina Faso to exercise heightened vigilance.
Relations between the two countries have steadily deteriorated since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a military coup in 2022.
Since then, Burkina Faso has expelled French troops, ended military cooperation with Paris, and moved closer to partners including Russia. The military government has repeatedly accused France of trying to undermine its leadership, while French officials have rejected those claims.
The diplomatic rupture comes as Burkina Faso continues to battle a violent Islamist insurgency that has spread across the Sahel from neighbouring Mali over the past decade.
The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and forced millions from their homes, despite repeated promises by the military government to restore security. Human rights groups have also accused both armed groups and government forces of committing abuses during the conflict.
For now, neither side has announced exactly what France’s reciprocal measures could involve.
But the decision effectively closes another chapter in France’s shrinking influence across parts of West Africa, where several military-led governments have distanced themselves from Paris in recent years while seeking new security and political alliances.
