By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Authorities in Burkina Faso have ordered French troops stationed in the country to commence plans to depart the country immediately, a local television station announced on Saturday.
A source close to the Burkina Faso military government confirmed the news of the demand for the departure of French troops, but gave no further details, Reuters had reported.
Burkina Faso’s state television RTB said the military government on Jan. 18 suspended a 2018 military accord that allowed the presence of French troops in the country, citing the news agency.
It added that France had a month to pull its troops from Burkina Faso.
The decision is not unconnected with deteriorating relations between France and its former colony since a September 2022 military coup.
Perceptions revolve around the assumption that France’s military presence in Burkina Faso has not improved security in the insurgent-hit West African country.
Hundreds demonstrated against Paris in the capital Ouagadougou on Friday, chanting anti-France slogans and wielding placards calling on the French army to leave the country.
France has about 400 special forces based in the country to help local forces battle the Islamist insurgency that has spread across the Sahel from Mali over the past decade.
Both the government and the French military in the country are yet to respond officially.
