After an interval spanning nearly 32 years, Russia has officially reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic relations between the two nations, as confirmed by the West African country’s government and a Russian diplomatic official.
The embassy, which ceased operations in 1992, has been reinstated, with Alexei Saltykov, the Russian ambassador to Ivory Coast, announcing that the new envoy to Burkina Faso would be appointed by President Vladimir Putin himself.
Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry released a statement affirming the formal reopening of Russia’s embassy in Ouagadougou on Thursday.
Expressing his sentiments, Saltykov emphasized the enduring ties between Russia and Burkina Faso, labeling the latter as “an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.” He further disclosed his interim leadership of the mission until the appointment of the new ambassador.
Burkina Faso has undergone significant political upheaval in recent times, experiencing two military coups in the past year, partly instigated by grievances over the government’s failure to quell a relentless jihadist insurgency.
Amid these developments, the ruling junta, in power since September 2022, has steered away from its historical association with France, its former colonial power, opting for closer relations with Russia.
This shift in alliances was underscored in October when Burkina Faso signed a substantial agreement with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant. The initiative aims to bolster the energy supply in the Sahel nation, where access to electricity remains limited, reaching less than a quarter of the population.
