Russia reopens embassy in Burkina Faso 30 years after closure

Russia has finally reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after it was closed more than 30 years ago.

The closed embassy was reopened at a ceremony in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou.

The West African country was a staunch ally of former colonial power France until the military seized control in a coup in 2022, when it shifted its allegiance to Russia.

French ambassadors have been dismissed, and France’s military station in the nation has been closed.

Simultaneously, it has strengthened its military and diplomatic ties with Russia.

France had criticised the coup in Burkina Faso, as well as Mali and Niger, who were neighbours.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to reopen the embassy during the July Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg.

The embassy was closed in 1992 as Moscow curtailed its interest in Africa following the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union.

The BBC reports that Russia has not yet named the head of the mission, but the country’s ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov, said he would head it until Mr Putin made an appointment.

Russia has made a huge push recently to regain influence in Africa.

Burkina Faso signed a deal with Russia in July for the construction of a nuclear power plant to tackle its energy crisis.

In November, Russia deployed a team of medics to assist Burkina Faso in dealing with dangerous dengue fever and chikungunya outbreaks.