By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Burkina Faso’s military junta has released four French nationals who were detained for a year, following mediation by Morocco.
The latest development on Thursday resolves a diplomatic row that had ensued between the two nations over their detention.
The individuals had been held in Ouagadougou since December 2023 on suspicion of being spies.
The French presidency said in a statement that President Emmanuel Macron had on Wednesday thanked Morocco’s King Mohammed for his mediation, “which made possible the liberation of our four countrymen who had been held in Burkina Faso for a year.”
Morocco’s foreign ministry also praised King Mohammed and Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré, stating that “this humanitarian act” was made possible due to the good relations between their countries.
Following three years of tensions between France and Morocco, fuelled by immigration issues and the disputed territory of Western Sahara, Paris reconciled with Rabat, one of its former protectorates, in October after a series of moves.
Morocco maintains good relations with Burkina Faso and other military-ruled Sahel states, promising them access to global trade through the Atlantic.
However, France’s ties with its former colonies in West and Central Africa, including Burkina Faso, remain strained.
Ouagadougou has expelled French troops and diplomats, ordered France’s defence attaché and ambassador to leave, and suspended some French media.
The military junta, which seized power in a coup in 2022, has drawn criticism from international rights groups for cracking down on freedom of speech and intimidating critics.
