Burkina Faso’s military junta has expelled three French diplomats from the country on charges of ‘subversive activities’.
France said there were “no grounds” to expel the diplomats.
The expulsions are the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the two nations since Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in a coup in 2022.
He has sent Burkina Faso towards Russia, ending close ties with France, the former colonial power.
Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso in December after closing it more than three decades ago, while the French ambassador was expelled by the junta the following month.
Russia is also helping the West African state strengthen its military capabilities to fight jihadists after the junta forced France to close its military base.
In a letter dated April 16, the junta gave the diplomats 48 hours to leave after declaring them persona non grata.
It did not provide details of their alleged subversive activities, but reports said the diplomats met with members of civil society.
In its response, the French Foreign Ministry said it rejected the “unfounded” accusations against the embassy staff.
“There were no legitimate reasons for the Burkinabe authorities’ decision. We can only regret it,” spokesman Christophe Lemoine told the AFP news agency.
Rights groups say the junta has become increasingly intolerant of dissent and has gone so far as to punish its critics by forcing them to the front lines of the fight against jihadists.
Last year, four French nationals were arrested after being accused of being intelligence agents.
French sources denied the accusation and said they were IT experts.
In December 2022, two French nationals working for a Burkinabé company were also deported for alleged espionage.
