Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Russia has reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after a 32-year hiatus, marking a significant shift in the West African nation’s foreign policy and highlighting its growing distance from its former colonial power, France.
The Russian Embassy in Ouagadougou was officially reopened on Thursday, December 28th, following its closure in 1992. The reopening was confirmed by both the Burkinabe Foreign Ministry and Russian Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov.
Renewing Ties with an “Old Partner”
“Russia formally reopened its embassy this Thursday in Ouagadougou,” the Burkinabe Foreign Ministry stated. Ambassador Saltykov, who will serve as the mission’s interim leader until President Putin appoints a new envoy, emphasized the long-standing ties between the two nations.
“Despite our physical absence here, bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields has never ceased,” he said, describing Burkina Faso as “an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.”
Shifting Alliances in the Wake of Military Coups
Burkina Faso has undergone significant political upheaval in recent months. A military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré seized power in September 2023, marking the second coup in eight months against pro-France governments.
This shift in leadership has led to a strained relationship with France. The French ambassador was recalled from Ouagadougou following the coup and remains absent. Additionally, Burkina Faso’s military leaders have suspended several French media outlets and expelled journalists, accusing them of “subversive activities.”
In contrast, Burkina Faso’s ties with Russia appear to be strengthening. In October, the two countries signed an agreement for the construction of a nuclear power plant, aiming to address the nation’s critical energy needs. Less than a quarter of the population in Burkina Faso currently has access to electricity.
A Complex Landscape Amidst Humanitarian Crisis
Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world, faces numerous challenges. The country is under attack from terrorist organizations with ties to al-Qaeda and Daesh, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and sparked a serious humanitarian crisis.
The reopening of the Russian embassy reflects not only Burkina Faso’s desire to diversify its international partnerships but also the broader geopolitical landscape marked by the war in Ukraine and its ripple effects across Africa. It remains to be seen how this renewed relationship between Russia and Burkina Faso will evolve and impact the complex security and humanitarian situation in the region.
