APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) – The authorities in Ouagadougou and Abidjan are no longer in each other’s good books.
The Burkinabe army has decided to repatriate soldiers undergoing training in Côte d’Ivoire, according to a memo issued by the Burkinabe army’s general staff on Friday, confirming reports by AFP.
“Burkinabe military trainees in the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire will be sent to Burkina Faso,” says a memo signed on 24 October by Brigadier General Célestin Simporé.
The 14 trainees in question are enrolled at the Technical Preparatory Military School (EMPT) (EMPT) in Bingerville, a town near Abidjan.
The army adds that they will continue their training at the Kamboinsin Military Academy (PMK) near Ouagadougou.
This is a further indicative of the already tense relations between Ouagadougou and Abidjan.
Last September, two Ivorian gendarmes were arrested on Burkinabe territory during a clandestine gold-mining operation.
Talks are still underway between Abidjan and Ouagadougou to secure their release.
Also in March, three Ivorian police officers were arrested in Burkina in similar circumstances before being released.
The two countries are currently negotiating the demarcation of their border, which is more than 600 km long.
SD/te/lb/as/APA