APA – Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) – The French government has denounced several agreements linking it to Burkina Faso.
A hundred or so French and European citizens living in Burkina Faso, represented by five people, called on the French government on Tuesday to lift the measures taken against the country “without delay.”
In a document seen by APA on Tuesday 19 September, they expressed their “profound disapproval” of the “positions and decisions” taken by Paris with regard to Ouagadougou, which they said “have major repercussions on living together.”
The signatories are of various nationalities, some of whom have lived in Burkina Faso for several decades. They say they are suffering “the effects of escalating diplomatic hostilities.”
Among the grievances levelled against Emmanuel Macron, they listed the cessation of visa issuance to Burkina Faso nationals, the country’s classification as a red zone, the suspension of official development aid and cooperation, including cultural cooperation, and the reduction in consular staff.
“These unilateral and counter-productive decisions by the French government are fuelling tensions and resentment, and undermining the good relations that exist between citizens of our different countries,” they insisted, arguing that French, European and Burkina Faso citizens have cultivated a bond.
According to the signatories, “beyond the relations between our different states and our governments, there are a multitude of personal and professional links between families, associations, businesses, artists, students, researchers, etc. that guarantee the well-being and the social and economic development of the citizens of our nations.”
In their view, these links “must be preserved, maintained and strengthened, regardless of the current diplomatic tensions” between states.
“Without these friendly relations between our peoples, nothing new will be possible. If we break these ties, how will we rebuild our lives together?” these Europeans living in Burkina Faso asked.
Relations between France and Burkina Faso have been strained since September 2022, when Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power.
In recent days, Paris has stepped up retaliatory measures, suspending the issue of visas for Burkinabe students and child adoptions from Burkina Faso.
Last weekend, Burkina expelled the military attaché at the French embassy in Ouagadougou, accused of “subversive activities.”
At the same time, Ouagadougou terminated its military mission in Paris.
In March, Burkina Faso denounced a 1961 military agreement with France, a few weeks after demanding and obtaining the withdrawal of the French “Sabre” Force.
SD/ac/fss/as/APA