France withdraws all diplomats from Burkina Faso amid rising tensions

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the withdrawal of all its diplomats from Burkina Faso in early July, marking the culmination of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. This follows Burkina Faso’s decision to sever all ties with France, a move that has reshaped regional alliances in the Sahel.

Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso's transitional president, in Ouagadougou

All French diplomatic staff stationed in Burkina Faso have already returned to France, with the last personnel leaving by the end of last week. In a reciprocal move, the Burkinabe chargé d’affaires in Paris was summoned to the French Foreign Ministry, where officials emphasized that Burkinabe diplomatic personnel in France must depart by Monday evening, July 6.

«In a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabe diplomatic staff have been notified that they must leave France within seven days, by this evening at the latest,» stated a spokesperson for the Quai d’Orsay.

France condemns