France announced on Thursday that Burkina Faso has released four French nationals who were detained for a year, following negotiations facilitated by Morocco. The Elysee Palace stated that President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude to Morocco's King Mohamed VI for mediating discussions that led to the release of the individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Morocco described the resolution as a 'humanitarian initiative' and commended its own efforts in mediating between the two countries. French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed that the detainees were members of the armed forces.
The four French nationals were arrested in Ouagadougou in December 2023 on charges reportedly related to espionage, as per reports from Jeune Afrique and French media. This incident occurred during a period of strained relations between France and its former colonies in the Sahel, including Burkina Faso. Following political unrest, Burkina Faso, with a population of 20 million, expelled French forces and sought security assistance from Russia.
Subsequently, the ruling junta in Burkina Faso collaborated with neighboring countries to establish the Alliance of Sahel States. This alliance, comprising Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, has faced challenges in addressing security and humanitarian crises within the region.
Amid France's reduced presence in the Sahel, other countries such as Russia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have shown interest in expanding security and trade partnerships in the area. Additionally, Morocco has aimed to enhance its role as a diplomatic mediator and economic partner, initiating new projects to strengthen relationships and develop infrastructure that would provide landlocked nations with improved access to the Atlantic Ocean.
