Burkina Faso has officially severed diplomatic relations with France, marking a significant escalation in the deteriorating relationship between the West African nation and its former colonial power.

In a statement broadcast on national television on Friday, the government announced that diplomatic ties with France had been terminated with immediate effect.

“The government of Burkina Faso hereby informs the national and international community that it has decided to sever diplomatic relations with France with effect from today, June 26, 2026,” the statement said.

The move comes under the military-led government of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has ruled the country since taking power in a September 2022 coup.

Since assuming office, Traoré’s administration has increasingly distanced itself from Western partners, particularly France, while adopting a more nationalist foreign policy and cracking down on critics at home.

Announcing the decision, Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo said the government had concluded that the conditions necessary for maintaining diplomatic relations no longer existed.

He cited the need for relationships founded on mutual respect, reciprocal trust, non-interference in domestic affairs and respect for national sovereignty.

According to Ouedraogo, a government review of relations with Paris concluded that France had continued to act against Burkina Faso’s interests.

He further accused France of pursuing what he described as “neo-colonial ambitions,” alleging that Paris had provided support to subversive networks and terrorist groups operating in Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region.

French authorities have not immediately responded publicly to the allegations.

The diplomatic break marks the latest step in Burkina Faso’s effort to redefine its international partnerships as insecurity continues to plague the country and much of the Sahel, where armed extremist groups remain active.

Relations between Burkina Faso and France have steadily worsened in recent years, reflecting a broader trend across several military-led governments in West Africa that have reduced cooperation with Paris while seeking closer ties with alternative international partners.

The decision is expected to have significant implications for diplomatic, security and economic relations between the two countries, as well as for France’s broader influence in the Sahel region.