Paris embassy officially closed
On Monday, the twelve returning diplomats were received by Burkinabè Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré in Ouagadougou. During the formal reception, they handed over the national flag that had proudly flown over the embassy in Paris, along with the keys to the diplomatic premises. The Burkinabè government underscored that this act definitively concludes the country’s diplomatic representation in France, while also dismissing unsubstantiated rumors that some personnel had sought asylum.
An acknowledged diplomatic severance
Burkina Faso had initially declared the termination of its diplomatic ties with France on June 26. In adherence to the principle of reciprocity, French diplomats departed Ouagadougou in early July. Concurrently, their Burkinabè counterparts were given a deadline of July 6 to exit French territory. The Burkinabè authorities justified this decisive action by citing what they termed France’s “incessant activism” against their national interests. In response, Paris characterized the decision as “hostile and without foundation.”
Relations deteriorated over time
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed leadership in September 2022, his administration has systematically moved away from its historical partnership with France. Following the departure of French forces from the country, Ouagadougou has actively pursued and solidified new alliances with various international partners, notably including Russia, Turkey, and Iran.