Media Wire Express Correspondent
Burkina Faso’s military government has expelled three French diplomats over alleged subversive activities, on Thursday.
The diplomats, including two political advisers, were declared persona non grata and instructed to depart the country within 48 hours, according to the letter dated April 16 and directed to the French embassy. The specifics of the accusations were not disclosed. The French Foreign Ministry did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment.
Read: Burkina Faso suspends French media Jeune Afrique
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The country is run by a military junta that seized power in a coup in 2022, leading to a breakdown in relations with its former colonial ruler France.
Ouagadougou has expelled French troops, urged France to recall its ambassador, and suspended certain French media outlets.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the matter, the diplomats were expelled due to their meetings with civil society members.
Burkina Faso’s military junta has faced condemnation from international human rights organizations for restricting freedom of speech and intimidating dissenters while grappling with a security crisis fueled by militants associated with Al Qaeda and Islamic State.
Source:Reuters
