Burkina Faso Frees French Nationals Following Morocco’s Mediation
Burkina Faso’s junta government announced Thursday the release of four French nationals accused of espionage, following negotiations mediated by Morocco. President Capt. Ibrahim Traore expressed gratitude for Morocco’s diplomatic intervention amid strained relations between France and Burkina Faso.
The detainees, described as French armed forces members by France’s Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, were arrested in December 2023 in Ouagadougou on espionage charges. Their detention occurred during a low point in France’s relations with its former colonies in the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, which recently expelled French forces and sought security support from Russia.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron thanked Morocco’s King Mohamed VI for facilitating the release. Morocco, eager to expand its role in the Sahel, hailed the negotiations as a “humanitarian initiative.” This reflects Morocco’s broader strategy to strengthen diplomatic ties in the region while positioning itself as a key mediator and economic partner.
As France’s influence in the Sahel wanes, other nations, including Russia, Turkey, and the UAE, are seeking to expand their presence. Morocco has deepened ties with landlocked Sahel nations through infrastructure initiatives and solidified its relationship with France since Paris backed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The region continues to see shifts in alliances and influence amidst ongoing security and humanitarian crises.