France recalls ambassador from Burkina Faso

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – France has recalled its ambassador from Burkina Faso, local media reported Thursday.

Daily Le Figaro quoted an official from the Foreign Ministry that the ambassador to Ouagadougou has been recalled.

"In the context of the latest developments in Burkina Faso, we have decided to recall our ambassador, to consult on the state and prospects of our bilateral cooperation," the official said.

Ambassador Luc Hallade was appointed to Burkina Faso in 2019.

Burkina Faso on Monday requested that France withdraw its troops, which were deployed to help local forces battle insurgents linked to the al-Qaeda and Daesh/ISIS terrorist organizations.

The West African country said it has decided to end a military pact that allowed the presence of French troops because it is in line with the transition government’s vision for the Burkinabe people to defend their country.

A French diplomatic source revealed that the request regarding the agreement of 2018 on the status of the French forces in the country will take effect next month and that Paris will respect the terms of the agreement and proceed with the request."

Relations between France and Burkina Faso have been volatile since soldiers seized control of the African country in September last year.

Several demonstrations have been reported against the French military presence in the country on perceptions that it has been ineffective against the terrorism that has been raging in the country since 2015.

Previously, authorities in Burkina Faso also demanded "a new interlocutor" to replace the French ambassador.

France maintains 400 special forces based in the country.