Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France

Soon after he took power, Capt Traoré expelled French troops. His government has accused France of having a "secret agenda" and pivoted towards China and Russia.The latest Burkinabe statement says conditions for mutual respect no longer exist between the two countries. It alleges French support for "subversive networks and an intent to marginalise" Burkina Faso on the international stage.The statement adds that the decision to sever ties "concerns exclusively the institutional framework of relations" but "in no way calls into question the historical, human, cultural and social ties that unite the Burkinabe and French peoples".The junta pledged to restore democracy in 2024, but reneged on this promise and formally dissolved political parties in January this year.In January 2025, Burkina Faso, along with two neighbouring military-led states – Mali and Niger, officially broke away from the regional West African bloc, Ecowas, to form a new group, The Alliance of the Sahel States.France has had no ambassador in Burkina Faso since January 2023.In 2024, the country expelled three French diplomats, accusing them of "subersive activities". France denied the claims.