In a significant diplomatic shift, the military government of Burkina Faso has severed ties with France, leveling accusations against its former colonial power of backing subversive activities and pursuing “neo-colonial ambitions” that they claim threaten the nation’s sovereignty. France has responded firmly, labeling these allegations as “hostile and baseless,” and is now contemplating reciprocal actions in light of the severance.
This decision follows Burkina Faso’s earlier demands for the expulsion of the French ambassador in 2023, along with the refusal to accredit a new French diplomat. Such developments signal a deepening rift between the two nations, reflecting a growing wave of anti-French sentiment and a noticeable shift away from Western alliances in Burkina Faso since the military coup in 2022.
