PARIS — France announced Saturday that it is weighing potential reciprocal actions following Burkina Faso’s decision to cut all diplomatic ties with the country.
On Friday, the West African nation officially ended its relationship with its former colonial ruler, a move that came after years of deteriorating relations stemming from disagreements over security, national sovereignty, and accusations of foreign meddling.
The French foreign ministry issued a sharp response, stating: “France regrets this hostile and unfounded decision, which illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities.”
French officials also issued a warning to their citizens currently living in Burkina Faso, calling on them “to exercise heightened vigilance” amid the diplomatic fallout.
Burkina Faso has spent years struggling against a violent Islamist insurgency that originally spread from neighboring Mali. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives and forced millions of people to flee their homes across the region over the past decade.
Burkina Faso’s Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo confirmed the break in relations took effect Friday. He accused France of backing “subversive networks” and “terrorists” — allegations that France has repeatedly and firmly denied.
