On Friday, June 26, Burkina Faso’s military government announced it was severing diplomatic relations with France. Communication Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo stated on state television that Paris had failed to uphold commitments of mutual respect and non-interference.
Tensions between Ouagadougou and Paris have been mounting since the army, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, seized power in a coup in September 2022. The rift deepened after Burkina Faso requested the departure of French soldiers stationed in the country and expelled several diplomats, including the French ambassador.
In its effort to broaden alliances, Burkina Faso has increasingly turned to Russia and its neighbors Mali and Niger, both under military rule.
Paris considers reciprocal measures
France responded on Saturday, denouncing the
