French minister says France still committed to Burkina Faso

A French minister said
on Tuesday her government would not stop supporting Burkina Faso
in its fight against Islamist militants and wished to remain
involved despite growing anti-French sentiment and diplomatic
tensions.
Relations between France and Burkina Faso, a former French
colony, have deteriorated following two military coups this year
that were partly spurred by local authorities’ failure to
protect civilians from jihadist attacks.
Tensions flared last month, when the Burkina Faso government
requested the replacement of France’s ambassador. The French
government refused and described the move as “not standard
practice”.
French State Secretary for Development, Francophonie and
International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou struck a
conciliatory tone after meeting junta leader Ibrahim Traore in
the capital Ouagadougou on Tuesday.
“France is a consistent partner, engaged at Burkina Faso’s
side through the challenges it faces, and is ready to stay,” she
told reporters.
Zacharopoulou said she and Traore, who took power in the
latest coup in September, discussed the insecurity and assured
France would continue to provide support.
“We know the price the Burkinabe armed forces and the
civilian population have been paying for years,” she said.
France has some 400 special forces based in Burkina Faso to
help government forces battle a violent Islamist insurgency that
has spread across the central Sahel region from Mali over the
past decade.
“In this context, neither France nor the Europe Union
abandons Burkina,” Zacharopoulou said, noting that she was not
there to force or dictate any choices.
“I have come with one clear message: the constancy of my
country’s engagement,” she added.
Later, in response to a question about the French
ambassador, Zacharopoulou said she had told Traore she was open
to dialogue.
Burkina Faso’s government did not immediately respond to a
request for comment.
Protests by opponents of the French military presence surged
this year, partly linked to perceptions that France has not done
enough to improve security.
Angry mobs have targeted the French embassy, cultural centre
and military base, with demonstrators calling on authorities to
turn to Russia for help like in Mali.
Bamako’s collaboration with Russian mercenaries was a key
factor in France’s decision last year to withdraw troops from
Mali, with whom relations have soured following a military
takeover in August 2020.
Zacharopoulou said French troops would remain in Burkina
Faso “as long as their presence is desired”.