Burkina Faso military junta expel French Ambassador
By Wilson Musa
On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, Reuters confirmed that the French foreign ministry had received a letter from the military junta in Burkina Faso. Though the content was not disclosed, other reports say that the regime has asked France to change the present Ambassador of France to Burkina Faso.
Ambassador Luc Hallade had written a letter in December 2022, asking French nationals to watch out for a possible attack in Koudougou. The letter seems to have provoked Burkinabe authorities who sent a letter to France demanding a change of Ambassador.
The same Burkinabe foreign office asked the UN resident coordinator to leave the country last December without saying what was wrong.
Since the military coup in September 2022, relations between France and Burkina Faso have deteriorated. On the coup day, several civilians stormed buildings such as the cultural centre, the embassy, and military bases to demand the departure of France.
Since he took power in October 2022, Captain Ibrahim Traore has been walking in the footsteps of Malian junta leader, Assimi Goita. Burkina Faso has shown interest in Russian mercenaries, Wagner group to fight advancing terrorists from the Sahelian region. During the putsch period, Burkinabe chanted songs of freedom, asking France to leave in favor of Russia.
Many think that France is taking too slow to fight terrorists.
In 2022, French President, Emmanuel Macron withdrew thousands of troops from Mali, ending Operation Barkhane.
