Burkina Faso’s pro-Russia junta expels French diplomats

Burkina Faso’s military junta has expelled three French diplomats, alleging their involvement in “subversive activities,” marking a further deterioration in relations between the two countries since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup in 2022.
France has refuted the accusations, stating that there is no basis for the expulsion of its diplomats. The strained relations have escalated since Burkina Faso’s shift towards Russia, abandoning its longstanding ties with France, its former colonial ruler.
Russia recently reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after more than 30 years of closure, while the junta expelled the French ambassador the following month. Additionally, Russia has been assisting Burkina Faso in bolstering its military capabilities to combat jihadist groups after the junta compelled France to close its military base.
The junta issued a letter dated 16 April, granting the diplomats 48 hours to depart the country, declaring them persona non grata without specifying the nature of their alleged subversive activities. Reports suggest that the diplomats had engaged with members of civil society.
France’s foreign ministry denounced the expulsion, dismissing the accusations against its embassy staff as unfounded and expressing regret over the junta’s decision.
Human rights organizations have criticized the junta for growing intolerance towards dissent, including reports of punitive measures against critics, such as forcing them to join the fight against jihadists. Last year, four French nationals were detained on accusations of being intelligence agents, which French sources denied, stating they were IT experts. Additionally, in December 2022, two French nationals employed by a Burkinabé company were deported over alleged espionage charges.