All French diplomatic staff stationed in Burkina Faso returned to France “late last week,” while Burkinabè diplomats in France have been ordered to leave by Monday evening, the French Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday.

The chargé d’affaires of Burkina Faso in Paris was summoned to the ministry last week following Ouagadougou’s unilateral announcement on June 26 to cut diplomatic relations with France.

“In a spirit of reciprocity, Burkinabè diplomatic personnel were informed they must depart France within seven days,” the Quai d’Orsay stated.

France deplores “hostile” decision

“We deeply regret this hostile and unfounded decision, which reflects the troubling trajectory of Burkina Faso’s authorities,” the French Foreign Ministry reiterated. “We have drawn the necessary conclusions,” it added.

The ministry also dismissed allegations that France supports terrorist groups in the region, calling such claims “completely false.” These accusations were among the reasons cited by Burkina Faso for severing ties with Paris.

“We strongly condemn all terrorist attacks and the atrocities committed against civilians in the Sahel,” the ministry stated. “We reaffirm our full support for the affected populations, who bear the brunt of this ongoing crisis.”

The Quai d’Orsay emphasized that France’s commitment to combating terrorism globally “is widely recognized, and the country has paid a heavy price for it.”

Heightened vigilance for French nationals

“Given the current situation, we urge French nationals in Burkina Faso to exercise extreme caution,” the ministry warned.

More than 2,000 French citizens are registered with the consulate in Burkina Faso, while over 6,000 Burkinabè residents live in France.

Since seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has pursued a sovereignist agenda in Ouagadougou, cracking down on dissent and adopting an adversarial stance toward Western powers, particularly France.

The Burkinabè government has accused Paris of “persistent activism” against its interests, though it maintains that relations between the two peoples remain unaffected.

In 2023, shortly after taking power, the junta demanded the recall of France’s ambassador to Ouagadougou, Luc Hallade, condemned a military agreement with Paris, and secured the withdrawal of French troops—long engaged in fighting jihadist groups that have plagued the country for a decade.

The regime has since intensified its criticism of France and pivoted toward alternative partners, including Russia, Turkey, and Iran.