Africa-Press. The European Union has expressed its protest against Burkina Faso’s decision to expel two diplomats from its mission in the capital, Ouagadougou, describing the move as “unjustified,” in the latest episode of escalating tensions between the two sides.
The spokesperson for the European Union for foreign affairs stated that the bloc strongly protests Ouagadougou’s decision to expel diplomats from its mission, confirming that the Burkinabe authorities did not provide any official explanation for this action.
In a statement on the American platform X, the spokesperson added that the EU summoned the Burkinabe ambassador to Brussels to deliver an official protest, noting that the EU will take retaliatory measures, without disclosing the nature or timing of these actions.
The authorities in Burkina Faso had declared two officials from the EU delegation in Ouagadougou as persona non grata, giving them 72 hours to leave the country, without providing official justifications for the decision.
A local source reported that the decision was communicated to the officials on July 14 and included the deputy head of the EU delegation in Ouagadougou, as well as a responsible individual for one of the EU programs, without revealing their identities.
This decision marks the latest manifestation of tension in relations between Ouagadougou and Brussels, at a time when relations between the two sides are noticeably deteriorating due to increasing political and diplomatic divergences.
The roots of the recent crisis date back to June, when the European Parliament adopted a resolution criticizing what it described as a decline in public freedoms and a narrowing of civil space in Burkina Faso, also calling for independent investigations into allegations of human rights violations.
The Burkinabe authorities considered the European decision “hostile” and an interference in their internal affairs, while the Burkinabe foreign minister summoned the head of the EU delegation in the country on June 22 to deliver an official protest regarding the content of the resolution.
In the context of escalating tensions, Ouagadougou also canceled meetings that were scheduled with the EU special envoy to the Sahel, who was visiting the country during that period.
The escalation with the European Union coincides with the continued deterioration of relations between Burkina Faso and France, as Ouagadougou announced at the end of June that it was severing diplomatic ties with Paris, a step it described as coming after a comprehensive review of bilateral relations.
The Burkinabe communications minister stated at that time that the essential conditions for establishing relations based on mutual respect, trust, non-interference in internal affairs, and respect for national sovereignty were no longer available, confirming that the decision to sever relations took effect at the end of June.
He accused France of supporting “subversive networks” and “terrorists,” allegations that Paris denies.
For its part, the French foreign ministry expressed regret over Ouagadougou’s decision, considering it “a hostile decision that lacks any basis,” reflecting, according to the statement, “the concerning deviation” pursued by the Burkinabe authorities.
Paris also announced at that time that it was considering taking similar measures in response to the decision to sever relations and urged French citizens in Burkina Faso to exercise the utmost caution.
