The military Junta ruling Burkina Faso has expelled three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities, according to a government document posted on social media. This decision comes amid deteriorating relations between Burkina Faso and France, with the military Junta severing military ties with the former colonial ruler in 2023. Following in the footsteps of neighboring Mali, led by a coup leader, Burkina Faso ordered hundreds of French troops to depart the West African country within a month. This move has been met with mixed reactions, with anti-French sentiment spiking due to the ongoing violence and Islamic extremist insurgency in the region.
After more than 60 years of independence, French remains an official language in Burkina Faso, and France has maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with its former colony. However, as anti-French sentiment continues to rise, there has been a shift towards strengthening ties with Russia and China instead. This trend is reflected in the expulsion of French diplomats and journalists, as well as the suspension of some international media outlets in the country. The current junta ruling Burkina Faso is distancing itself from regional and Western nations that do not align with its approach, as evidenced by its decision to leave the West African regional economic bloc ECOWAS and form an alliance with military juntas in Mali and Niger.
The French foreign ministry has expressed regret over the decision to expel its diplomats and has rejected the accusations of subversive activities. The ministry stated that its activities in Burkina Faso were within the United Nations framework for diplomatic and consular relations and criticized the lack of legitimate basis for the Burkinabè authorities’ decision. The document ordering the expulsion of the three French diplomats did not provide details about the alleged subversive activities, leaving room for speculation and debate over the validity of the junta’s claims.
Anti-French sentiment has been fueled by the unabating violence and Islamic extremist insurgency in Burkina Faso, leading to calls from protesters for the junta to strengthen ties with Russia instead. This sentiment is part of the ongoing trend in the country and neighboring Mali towards distancing from Western nations and forging alliances with Russia and China. The expulsion of French diplomats is seen as a continuation of measures adopted by Burkina Faso and Mali to assert their independence and shift away from Western influence. The junta’s decision to sever military ties with France and expel French diplomats reflects the changing geopolitical dynamics in the region and the shifting alliances among countries in West Africa.
As Burkina Faso continues to navigate its post-colonial relationship with France and other Western nations, the expulsion of French diplomats is a significant development that underscores the country’s efforts to assert its independence and align itself with new partners. The junta’s decision to expel the diplomats and sever military ties with France has sparked debate and speculation about the motivations behind these decisions. Despite international condemnation, the military Junta ruling Burkina Faso remains steadfast in its approach, strengthening ties with regional allies and distancing itself from Western nations that do not support its stance. The expulsion of French diplomats is a reflection of the ongoing shifts in alliances and the changing geopolitical landscape in West Africa.
