Burkina Faso’s military government announced on Friday, June 26, the rupture of diplomatic relations with France, accusing Paris of failing to honour commitments of mutual respect and non-interference, according to a statement by Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo on state television.

Ties between Ouagadougou and Paris have sharply deteriorated since the army and Captain Ibrahim Traoré came to power through a coup in September 2022. This decline was highlighted by the demand for the withdrawal of French soldiers deployed in the West African nation, as well as the expulsion of diplomats, including the French ambassador to Ouagadougou.

In its effort to diversify partnerships, Burkina Faso has notably moved closer to Russia and its two neighbors, Mali and Niger, both also governed by military regimes.

Paris considers ‘reciprocal measures’

The decision announced on Friday drew a swift response from Paris. France on Saturday denounced the ‘unilateral’, ‘hostile and unfounded’ decision by Burkina Faso and said it is considering ‘measures of reciprocity’, the French Foreign Ministry stated.

‘France regrets this hostile and unfounded decision, which illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities. The necessary reciprocal measures are being examined,’ the Quai d’Orsay said, while calling on French nationals in the country to exercise ‘increased vigilance’.