Burkina Faso working to get French military ‘convoy out of country’

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Burkinabe government sought Wednesday to calm anger about a French military convoy that was blocked by demonstrators in the Centre-North region, while assuring that efforts were being made to ensure it safely leaves the country.

Demonstrators in Kaya last week cornered the convoy of Barkhane, the French anti-terrorist military force, which was headed to Niger from the Ivory Coast -- suspecting the French military of supporting terrorists.

But Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said there was nothing irregular about the French military convoy passing through Burkina Faso.

“The relationship between Burkina Faso and France is one of friendship and cooperation,” he told reporters at a news conference in the capital, Ouagadougou. “France is our second technical and financial partner. Military cooperation between the two countries is very important. This convoy is destined for the French Forces in Gao (Mali) via Niger. Everything that happens here is within the agreement of the national armed forces.”

He said the convoy is still on Burkinabe territory.

“We are working to get this convoy out of our country. We ask the people of Kaya to trust the government,” he said. “It is a regular and usual French military convoy. It is not only the French convoys that pass through Burkinabe territory. I would like to ask the people to remain calm.”

The country’s top diplomat tried to allay suspicions of France supporting terrorists in the country.

“The fight against terrorism is a matter for all Burkinabe, for our national army. We must not be mistaken about the enemy because France has always intervened alongside us when we made the request.”

A terror attack last week in the north left more than 50 people dead, including 49 gendarmes.

Similar "anti-French feelings" have been previously witnessed in Mali, Niger and Chad.