France has recalled its ambassador to Burkina Faso, Luc Hallade, to “conduct consultations”, the French Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday January 26, 2023, a day after agreeing to withdraw French troops stationed in the country.
“In the context of the latest developments in Burkina Faso, we have decided to recall our ambassador in Paris, to conduct consultations on the state and prospects for our bilateral cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry told Agence France-Presse.
On Monday, Burkina Faso asked France to withdraw hundreds of special forces troops stationed in the former French colony to curb the expansion of terrorist groups in the Sahel, and said they had a month to leave the country, in accordance with the military agreement signed by both countries in 2018.
The demand “is not about ending diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and France,” a government spokesperson said. “It is the Burkinabé themselves who will consent to the necessary sacrifices for the liberation of our territory.”
France formally accepted the demand on Wednesday, and said it would “abide by the terms of the agreement.”
In late December, Burkina Faso had asked Paris to replace its ambassador Luc Hallade, in office since 2019, arguing he could no longer be trusted, without disclosing why.
