France withdraws diplomats from Burkina Faso after diplomatic rupture

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the withdrawal of all its diplomats from Burkina Faso, a decision taken in early July following Ouagadougou’s unilateral decision to sever diplomatic ties with Paris. All French diplomatic staff have already returned to France as of last weekend, while Burkinabe diplomats in France have been ordered to leave the country by Monday evening, July 6.

The chargé d’affaires of Burkina Faso in Paris was summoned to the French ministry last Monday, following the June 26 announcement of the rupture in diplomatic relations by Burkinabe authorities. “In a spirit of reciprocity, it was made clear that Burkinabe diplomatic personnel must also leave France within seven days,” stated the Quai d’Orsay.

Paris condemns “hostile” decision

France has expressed strong disapproval of what it describes as a “hostile and unfounded” decision by Burkina Faso’s transitional authorities. “We deeply regret this move, which reflects a troubling shift in the country’s leadership,” a spokesperson for the French government declared. “We have drawn the necessary conclusions,” the official added.

The French government also firmly denied allegations of supporting terrorist groups, calling such claims “completely false.” These accusations were among the reasons cited by Burkina Faso for severing ties with France.

“We firmly condemn all terrorist attacks and the violence inflicted on civilians in the Sahel. We reaffirm our full support for the affected populations, who are the primary victims of this ongoing crisis,” the ministry stated. It further emphasized that France’s commitment to combating terrorism worldwide “is well-documented, and the nation has paid a heavy price for this engagement.”

Heightened security measures for French nationals

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged French citizens in Burkina Faso to exercise extreme caution in the current climate. More than 2,000 French nationals are registered with the consulate in Ouagadougou, while over 6,000 Burkinabe nationals reside in France.

The Burkinabe junta, which seized power in September 2022 under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has pursued a sovereigntist agenda, opposing Western influence—particularly that of France. The transitional government has accused Paris of “unrelenting activism” against its interests, though it claims the decision does not reflect the sentiments of the Burkinabe people.

Since assuming power, the junta has taken multiple steps to distance itself from France, including recalling the French ambassador in 2023, rejecting a military agreement, and expelling French troops that had been assisting in the fight against jihadist groups plaguing the region for over a decade. Burkina Faso has since forged closer ties with alternative partners, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran.