Burkina Faso’s government and a Russian envoy have announced the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries, according to an East African report.
“Russia formally reopened its embassy this Thursday in Ouagadougou. “Alexei Saltykov, Russia’s ambassador to Ivory Coast said. He also noted that the Russian President Vladimir Putin will appoint a new envoy.
The ambassador stated that he would lead the mission in Burkina Faso until a new ambassador was selected. He described the country as an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.”
The BBC reports that the embassy was shut down in 1992, due to Russia’s lack of interest in the continent after the Cold War ended.
The BBC also reports that last month, Burkina Faso’s defense minister Col. Kassoum Coulibaly met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in Moscow, where they discussed military cooperation.
The Russian defense minister praised the meeting, stating that talks had reached a “practical phase” suggesting that both countries would enhance their military ties.
Russia has been actively pursuing its influence in Africa, especially in West Africa, in recent times. Countries in the region that have spurned Western values have turned to Russia for political alliances. Burkina Faso is one of them.
Burkina Faso has also proposed a confederation with Mali and Niger, which have also undergone coups and rejected Western principles in recent months.
