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Burkina Faso’s military government severs diplomatic relations with France, accusing its former colonial ruler of pursuing “neo-colonial ambitions.” The announcement, delivered on national television, marks a deeper shift by Captain Ibrahim Traore’s junta away from Western influence. Burkina Faso now aligns more closely with Mali and Niger, which have also withdrawn from ECOWAS and strengthened ties with Russia. The move comes alongside a domestic crackdown, including restrictions on civil liberties, dissolution of political parties, and suspension of NGOs and student unions.
Friday, 26 June, 2026