Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with former colonial ruler France

The military government, in power since a coup in 2022, accused France of having ‘neo-colonial ambitions’.Burkina Faso has broken off diplomatic relations with France, further widening the rift with its former colonial ruler.“The government of Burkina Faso hereby informs the national and international community that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France with effect from today, June 26, 2026,” said Friday’s statement read out on national television.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Macron tours East Africa amid push to redefine France’s role in Africalist 2 of 4Can Macron’s Kenya visit revive French influence in Africa?list 3 of 4Armed attack on airport in Niger’s capital kills 11 soldiers, 2 civilianslist 4 of 4Mauritania’s female Islamic guides: Leading the fight against ‘extremism’end of listThe military government led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, in power since a coup in September 2022, is pursuing a policy against critical voices and Western countries, especially France.In the TV announcement, the government accused France of persistently acting against its interests.“The essential conditions for promoting relations based on mutual ⁠respect, reciprocal trust, respect ⁠for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and national sovereignty are not in place,” said Communications ⁠Minister, Gilbert Ouedraogo.He said the decision ⁠followed a review of relations with Paris. He accused France of having “neo-colonial ambitions, made evident by its active support for subversive networks and the terrorists who are plunging our country and the Sahel into mourning”.In January, political parties in Burkina Faso were formally dissolved by the military government, which has also seized all their assets in a move analysts say is a major blow for democracy in the West African nation.Landlocked Burkina Faso is grappling with several armed groups which have seized control of land in the country’s north, south and west. These include the al-Qaeda-backed Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Sahel-province" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="153489" data-entity-type="organization">Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), which also operate in neighbouring Mali and Niger.