Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France
She accused her of disrespecting sovereignty.
Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The Minister of Communications in Burkina Faso announced, Gilbert WerdaujoHis country has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France, according to an official statement broadcast on state television on Friday.
The minister explained that the decision came against the backdrop of what he described as ”the French side’s failure to adhere to the principles of mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs,” noting that this measure reflects Ouagadougou’s orientation towards reformulating its foreign relations in line with its national sovereignty and supreme interests.
Escalating tensions between Burkina Faso and France
This development comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries in recent times, against the backdrop of political and security issues, reflecting broader shifts in the nature of relations between some West African countries and France.
A sharp diplomatic confrontation between France and the European Union
Burkina Faso and the European Union entered into a sharp diplomatic confrontation after the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing the state of civil liberties and human rights in the West African country. The resolution, which received broad support within the European Parliament, angered the authorities in Ouagadougou, who considered it a direct interference in their internal affairs and an attempt to impose political tutelage on them.
In an official diplomatic note addressed to the European Union mission, the military government led by Captain Ibrahim Traore categorically rejected the European decision, describing its content as an extension of what it called a “neo-colonial mentality.”.
Some European parties were accused of relying on inaccurate information and adopting biased positions regarding the situation in the country.
The European Parliament ignored the complex security challenges in the country.
The authorities asserted that the European Parliament ignored the complex security challenges facing Burkina Faso in its ongoing war against armed groups, preferring to focus on human rights criticisms that do not reflect the full reality of the crisis.
The European Parliament had expressed concern about the shrinking space for civil and media work in Burkina Faso, pointing to restrictions imposed on some media outlets and civil society organizations, as well as allegations of arbitrary detention and human rights violations.
The resolution called on the Burkinabe authorities to respect freedom of expression, assembly and association, while demanding independent investigations into reported violations.
