Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has accused France, with support from Benin and Côte d’Ivoire, of attempting to destabilise his country. In an interview from the capital, Ouagadougou, Traore claimed that there are French bases in Benin aimed at Burkina Faso, and that he possesses audio evidence of French agents coordinating with terrorists.
‘We have nothing against the people of Côte d’Ivoire, but we do have something against those who run Côte d’Ivoire,’ Traore said. ‘There is indeed a centre of operations in Abidjan to destabilise our country.’
Traore emphasised that there are French military bases in Benin directed against Burkina Faso, and he intends to reveal proof of these claims. He stated, ‘Tracks have been laid, soldiers are equipped.’
French denial
The French military formally denied the existence of any military bases in Benin. ‘The only permanent military personnel are the defence attaché and the cooperants seconded to the Europe and Foreign Affairs Ministry,’ they said in a statement to Anadolu news agency.
France maintains five bases in Africa: Chad, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Djibouti, with temporary training detachments occasionally deployed to support local forces upon request.
Historical context
Burkina Faso, following the military coup in September 2022, terminated military and bilateral agreements with France, accusing the former colonial power of failing to combat terrorism and attempting to undermine the country’s stability. This move reflects a broader regional trend, as neighbouring Mali and Niger, both also led by military juntas, share similar anti-French sentiments and have severed diplomatic relations with France.
Regional alliances and anti-French sentiment
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have formed an alliance, with increasing public and governmental calls for the expulsion of French influence from their territories. Large-scale demonstrations have been held, with citizens expressing their desire for France to leave the region.
Traore’s statements underscore the deep-seated mistrust and geopolitical tensions between these West African nations and France. The alleged destabilisation efforts and the broader anti-French sentiment are part of a complex and evolving regional dynamic.
Looking forward
As Burkina Faso navigates this turbulent period, the military government under Traore is likely to continue its push against perceived foreign interference. The broader implications for regional stability and international relations remain to be seen, particularly as other global powers may seek to fill the vacuum left by a diminished French presence in West Africa.
Source; Africabriefing
