Amid escalating tensions with its former colonial power, the Burkina Faso junta has expelled three French diplomats.
The Burkina Faso junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, has moved the West African nation away from its historical ties with France, which governed the country until 1960.
In a recent development highlighting escalating tensions between Burkina Faso and its former colonial power, the African state has expelled three French diplomats for “subversive activities”.
A note from the Foreign Ministry, dated Tuesday and addressed to the French embassy, declared the diplomats as “persona non grata”, instructing them to depart the country within 48 hours.
According to the Burkina ministry, the diplomats named are Gwenaelle Habouzit, Herve Fournier, and Guillaume Reisacher. The French government, however, stated on Thursday that there were no legitimate grounds for the “unfounded” allegations.
“There were no legitimate grounds for the Burkinabe authorities’ decision. We can only deplore it,” said French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine.
Since seizing power in a September 2022 coup, the junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traore has been moving the West African nation away from its historical ties with France, which governed the country until 1960.
Following the coup, Burkina Faso withdrew the French ambassador and terminated a 1961 military agreement with France.
Additionally, the country ordered the withdrawal of French troops and began seeking security support from Russia.
In a further move, Burkina Faso banned several French media outlets. Meanwhile, Russia has also agreed to construct a nuclear power station for the African nation.
On December 1, four French officials were arrested, charged, and imprisoned in the capital Ouagadougou, as reported by a French source.
While Burkinabe authorities claimed they were intelligence agents, the French source stated they were IT support staff.
Presently, the four individuals are under house arrest, according to security sources in Burkina Faso.
In December 2022, Ouagadougou expelled two French nationals working for a Burkina Faso company over allegations of espionage.
France has ceased military missions in Mali and Burkina Faso and has recently initiated the withdrawal of forces from Niger, all three countries now under junta rule following coups.
Over the past few years, these nations have faced recurring attacks by groups associated with Al Qaeda and ISIS.
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