In a further sign of mounting tensions between the African state and its former colonial master, the military junta in Burkina Faso has expelled no fewer than three French diplomats over what they described as “subversive activities.”
According to a foreign ministry note that was sent to the French embassy which was sighted by Africa Today News, New York, the three were declared “persona non grata” and told to leave the country in 48 hours.
According to the Burkina ministry, the diplomats are Gwenaelle Habouzit, Herve Fournier and Guillaume Reisacher.
The French government on Thursday said there were no grounds for the “unfounded” allegations.
“There were no legitimate grounds for the Burkinabe authorities’ decision. We can only deplore it,” French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said.
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Since coming to power in a September 2022 coup, the junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traore has distanced the West African nation from France, which ruled the country until 1960.
The French ambassador was withdrawn after the takeover, Burkina Faso cancelled a 1961 military accord between the two countries, ordered a withdrawal of French troops and turned increasingly to Russia for security support.
Africa Today News, New York reports that a number of French media outlets have been banned, while Russia has also agreed to build a nuclear power station for the African country.
On December 1, four French officials were arrested, charged and imprisoned in the capital Ouagadougou, according to a French source.
The Burkinabe authorities said they were intelligence agents, but the French source said they were IT support staff.
The four are now under house arrest, according to Burkina security sources.
In December 2022, Ouagadougou expelled two French nationals working for a Burkina Faso company for alleged espionage.
France has ended anti-jihadist military missions in Mali and Burkina Faso and more recently began to withdraw forces from Niger – all three countries where juntas now rule following coups.