Burkina Faso Junta Expels 3 French Diplomats

Burkina Faso Military Junta, Ibrahim Traore expels French Diplomats (Image Courtesy: News Central TV)

Wendy Masombuka

(The Post News) – The military Junta currently ruling Burkina Faso has taken an unexpected action by expelling three French diplomats. This was due to the diplomats’ alleged involvement in subversive activities, as stated in a government document that was posted on social media Thursday evening. The document declared the French diplomats as “persons non grata” and ordered them to leave the country within 48 hours.

Three French diplomats, Gwenaelle Habouzit, Herve Fournier, and Guillaume Reisacher, have been expelled from Burkina Faso. Two of them were serving as political advisors. The reason for their expulsion is not clear as no details about their alleged subversive activities have been shared. However, this decision highlights the ongoing frustration with foreign interference in the country’s affairs. The relationship between France and its former colonies in Africa has been strained due to diplomatic influence and military presence.

French officials have expressed their concerns over the expulsion of diplomats and reject what they deem as “unfounded accusations made by the Burkina Faso authorities against our staff.” The French government maintains that there were no legitimate reasons for the Burkina Faso government to resort to such a decision. Christophe Lemoine, spokesperson for the French foreign ministry, expressed his disappointment, stating, “We can only deplore it.” The relationship between Burkina Faso and France has been strained since a military junta, led by Ibrahim Traore, seized power in a coup around September 2022, further exacerbating the existing distance between the two nations.

In 1961, Burkina Faso canceled the military agreement between the two countries, ordered French troops to withdraw, and increasingly turned to relying on Russia for security support.

France has maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with Burkina Faso – its former colony, even after more than six decades of the latter’s independence. French remains one of the official languages of Burkina Faso. However, in 2023, the junta leaders formed military ties with Paris and commanded hundreds of troops to leave the West African country within a month.

It remains to be seen how this diplomatic conflict will affect geopolitics and ongoing collaborations against security threats. France maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with its former colony. More than six decades after the independence of Burkina Faso, French remains an official language.

The government has recently made a significant decision that may have consequences beyond its borders. The junta in Burkina Faso has announced that it will no longer maintain close ties with Western and regional countries that do not agree with its approach. Instead, the junta is forming alliances with Mali and Niger and is working towards strengthening its ties with China and Russia.