Burkinabe Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo has stated that his country has turned the page on France, while defending its growing ties with Russia – a relationship he described as a partnership based on mutual interests.
“France is behind us,” Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo said in an interview broadcast Tuesday by the Russian channel RT, on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow, where he is
representing Burkinabe President Captain Ibrahim Traore.
The head of government rejected criticism suggesting that Ouagadougou has simply swapped Paris for Moscow as its primary partner.
“We have moved from one type of cooperation to another,” he asserted, describing the relationship with Moscow as “honest, transparent, based on equality, and serving the shared interests of our peoples.”
“Russia has never colonized an African country,” he added, noting that Russia does not seek to erase national languages or cultures.
Mr. Ouedraogo contrasted this approach with what he termed France’s “imperialist” policy. He denounced the existence of unbalanced agreements and power dynamics that he claims are legacies of the colonial era.
“We have nothing against the French people,” he explained, emphasising that Burkina Faso now intends to make its own strategic choices freely.
Relations between Ouagadougou and Paris have deteriorated significantly since late 2022. The Burkinabe authorities notably secured the withdrawal of French forces and have shifted their
security cooperation policy toward new partners, including Russia.
Prioritising local production
The Prime Minister also defended the economic strategy of the Burkinabe authorities, highlighting the mobilization of national resources and the development of local skills.
According to him, training, technology transfers, and the strengthening of production capacities are among Burkina Faso’s top priorities. Specifically, the country aims to increase its food production and process its mineral resources domestically.
“The greatest of these assets is the Burkinabe people,” he stated, also highlighting the country’s youth and natural wealth.
Mr. Ouedraogo further dismissed the pessimistic forecasts that emerged following the break in relations with France and the withdrawal of certain cooperation frameworks.
“Burkina Faso has never been in a better position than it is today- economically, financially, and in terms of development,” he asserted.
Regarding security, the head of government attributed part of the enhancement of Burkinabe forces’ capabilities to military cooperation with Moscow. He specifically pointed to the support provided by Russian instructors in helping Burkinabe personnel master the equipment acquired by Ouagadougou.
He noted that this partnership also facilitates the exchange of operational experience between the two nations.
The authorities of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – united within the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) – have begun reorienting their external partnerships in the name of sovereignty.
Finally, Mr. Ouedraogo denounced disinformation campaigns allegedly targeting the AES countries and called for international relations that respect their independence.
Burkina Faso, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore since September 2022, has made political, economic, and security sovereignty its primary objective.
HO/te/Sf/fss/as/APA