Burkina Faso and France are once again at the center of the news following the expulsion of the French military attaché in Ouagadougou. This decision, announced by the Burkinabè transitional authorities, raises questions and demonstrates the deterioration of relations between the two countries.
In an official letter dated September 14, the Burkinabè authorities withdrew the approval of Colonel Emmanuel Pasquier, accusing him of subversive activities without giving further details. This expulsion comes in an already tense context between the two countries, with Burkina Faso having already denounced the military agreements concluded with France last March.
This new stage in the deterioration of relations between Paris and Ouagadougou raises questions about the real motivations for this decision. If the Burkinabè authorities have not given clear explanations, some are putting forward the idea of a possible project to destabilize the transition, with the complicity of certain foreign chancelleries. However, these allegations remain unconfirmed at this time.
Faced with this expulsion, France reacted by describing the accusations of subversive activities as “fanciful”. A diplomatic source in Ouagadougou also indicates that Colonel Pasquier was already at the end of his stay in Burkina Faso and that France had proposed his replacement, without receiving a response from the Burkinabè side.
This situation highlights the tensions between the two countries and raises the question of the future of their military cooperation. Burkina Faso had already requested the withdrawal of the French Saber force from its territory and had demanded the departure of all French military personnel serving in the Burkinabè military administrations.
It is essential to closely monitor the development of this situation, as it could have repercussions on the stability of Burkina Faso and on security cooperation in the region. France, as the country’s historic partner, will have to take these events into account in its foreign policy and find solutions to restore healthy relations with Burkina Faso.
In conclusion, the expulsion of the French military attaché in Burkina Faso is a new episode in the deterioration of relations between the two countries. The real motivations for this decision remain unclear, but raise concerns about stability and security cooperation in the region. It is important to carefully monitor the situation and put in place measures to resume a constructive dialogue between the two countries.