Burkina Faso has announced the severance of diplomatic relations with France, accusing France of relentless actions against Burkina Faso.
Foreign news agencies reported on Saturday, 27 Jun 2026 GMT+7, that the government of Burkina Faso declared it had cut diplomatic ties with France, alleging that the Paris government continuously acted against their national interests.
Relations between Burkina Faso and its former colonial ruler France deteriorated after Captain Ibrahim Traoré staged a coup in 2022 and implemented predominantly anti-Western policies.
Pandevinde Gilbert Ouédraogo, Burkina Faso's Minister of Transport, stated on television Friday that France was guilty of relentless opposition against Burkina Faso and accused France of harboring neo-colonial ambitions.
France's Foreign Ministry responded that the decision was "hostile and unfounded," adding that it "reveals concerning tendencies in the Burkina Faso government."
Additionally, France urged its citizens residing in Burkina Faso to "exercise increased caution."
Burkina Faso and its neighbor Mali have been battling Islamist rebel groups for over a decade, often alongside French forces deployed in the region.
However, shortly after Captain Traoré came to power, he expelled French troops, accusing France of having a "hidden agenda," and sought closer ties with China and Russia instead.
Burkina Faso's latest statement said mutual respect between the two countries no longer exists, claiming France supports "subversive networks and intends to isolate" Burkina Faso internationally.
The statement further clarified that this decision "concerns only institutional relations" and "does not intend to undermine the historical, humanitarian, cultural, and social bonds linking the people of Burkina Faso and France."
In 2024, the military government pledged to restore democracy but broke this promise by officially dissolving all political parties in January this year.
Furthermore, in January 2025, Burkina Faso, along with fellow military-ruled neighbors Mali and Niger, officially withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to form a new bloc called "The Alliance of the Sahel States."
France has had no ambassador resident in Burkina Faso since January 2023, and in 2024 Burkina Faso expelled three French diplomats, accusing them of "subversive activities," allegations France denied.
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Source:bbc