Burkina Faso breaks with France

TT

Published 21.49

 

A mural in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou highlights the country's military forces. Archive photo. Photo: AP/TT

Burkina Faso is breaking all diplomatic relations with France.

The decision is made against the backdrop of what Burkina Faso calls a "lack of mutual respect", Reuters reports on its website.

The conflict-ridden West African country bases the decision on France's failure to maintain "basic conditions" such as "non-interference and national sovereignty" in relations, Burkina Faso's Information Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo said on state television.

In January this year, the country's military junta dissolved all political parties in the country.

Burkina Faso has been largely controlled by jihadists since 2015. The military junta regained power in 2022 and has since moved in an increasingly authoritarian direction. Thousands of people have been killed and millions displaced.

France was one of Burkina Faso's largest donors until 2023.