Russia has officially reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso, marking the end of a 32-year hiatus.
The Burkinabe foreign ministry confirmed the reopening, stating, “Russia formally reopened its embassy this Thursday in Ouagadougou.”
The Russian ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov, conveyed that President Vladimir Putin would personally appoint the new envoy, underlining the importance of the renewed diplomatic ties. Saltykov, who will head the mission temporarily, emphasized Burkina Faso as “an old partner with whom we have solid and friendly ties.”
This development follows Burkina Faso’s recent geopolitical shifts, where the ruling junta, in power since September 2022, has distanced itself from its historic partner, France, and forged closer ties with Russia.
READ MORE: CBN Investigator Rejects Titan Bank Chairman’s Request to Reschedule Meeting
Against the backdrop of two military coups in 2022, triggered partially by discontent over the handling of a jihadist insurgency, Burkina Faso signed a notable deal with the country in October. The agreement outlines the construction of a nuclear power plant to address the energy needs of the Sahel country, where less than a quarter of the population currently has access to electricity.