Burkina Faso has officially severed its diplomatic ties with France, a move Paris condemns as an “hostile and baseless” decision, indicating that reciprocal measures are under consideration.

Tensions between Ouagadougou and Paris have reached a critical juncture. On Friday, June 26, Burkina Faso announced the formal rupture of its diplomatic relations with France, marking a significant deterioration in the longstanding ties between the West African nation and its former colonial power.

In a communiqué broadcast on national television, Burkinabè authorities accused the current French government of “incessant activism” against Burkina Faso’s national interests. They further alleged “neocolonial ambitions” demonstrated through active support for “subversive networks and terrorists” plaguing the nation and the broader Sahel region.

Ouagadougou clarified that this decision “exclusively targets the institutional framework of diplomatic relations between the two states” and “in no way undermines the historical, human, cultural, and social bonds uniting the Burkinabè and French peoples.” The statement also reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s commitment to ensuring the protection of all French nationals residing within its borders.

France contemplates reciprocal measures amid Burkina Faso diplomatic rupture

Acknowledging this “unilateral decision,” the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret, labeling it “hostile and without foundation.” A spokesperson for French diplomacy, Pascal Confavreux, confirmed that potential reciprocal measures were being evaluated.

“French authorities are paying particular attention to the security of state personnel present in the country and the wider French community residing in Burkina Faso. In this specific context, they urge French nationals to exercise heightened vigilance,” Confavreux stated, highlighting the evolving Sahel politics today.

Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a September 2022 coup, relations between Burkina Faso and France have steadily worsened. Ouagadougou successfully demanded the withdrawal of French military forces from its territory, terminated military cooperation agreements, and suspended several French media outlets.

Burkina Faso, a key member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger, has simultaneously strengthened its international partnerships with new allies, notably Russia, Turkey, and Iran, reflecting a shift in West Africa Sahel dynamics.