Foreign relations of Burkina Faso

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Burkina Faso
Coat of arms of Burkina Faso.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has good relations with the European Union,[1] African[2] and certain Asian countries. France, the former colonial power, in particular, continues to provide significant aid and supports Compaoré's developing role as a regional powerbroker.

According to the U.S. State Department, "U.S. relations with Burkina Faso are good but subject to strains in the past because of the Compaoré government's past involvement in arms trading and other sanctions-breaking activity."[3] Burkina Faso cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in May 2018 (being the most populous state to do so in the 21st century) and the foreign ministry of China stated it approved of its decision.[4][5]

Burkina Faso's relations with its West African neighbors have improved in recent years.[6] Relations with Ghana, in particular, have warmed.[7] President Compaoré has mediated a political crisis in Togo and helped to resolve the Tuareg conflict in Niger.[citation needed] Burkina maintains cordial relations with Libya.[citation needed] A territorial dispute with Mali was mediated by Ghana and Nigeria, which has led to lessening of tensions between the two nations.[citation needed]

Nineteen provinces of Burkina Faso are joined with contiguous areas of Mali and Niger under the Liptako-Gourma Authority, a regional economic organization.[8]

Burkina Faso is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a bilateral immunity agreement of protection for the United States-military (as covered under Article 98).[citation needed]

Bilateral relations[edit]

Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Armenia 25 November 1992

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 November 1992.

 Austria
  • Austria is represented in Burkina Faso by its embassy in Dakar, Senegal[9]
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1960[10].
 Benin

In September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin–Burkina Faso border that remain from a 2005 ICJ decision.

 China 26 May 2018 See Burkina Faso–China relations

China and Burkina Faso re-established diplomatic relations on 26 May 2018.

 Denmark See Burkina Faso–Denmark relations
 France 1960
 Georgia 10 October 2012

Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 10, 2012[13].

 Ghana See Burkina Faso–Ghana relations

With the coming to power of Thomas Sankara in Burkina Faso in 1983, relations between Ghana and Burkina became both warm and close. Indeed, Rawlings and Sankara began discussions about uniting Ghana and Burkina in the manner of the defunct Ghana-Guinea-Mali Union, which Nkrumah had sought unsuccessfully to promote as a foundation for his dream of unified continental government. Political and economic ties between Ghana and Burkina, a poorer country, were strengthened through joint commissions of cooperation and through border demarcation committee meetings. Frequent high-level consultations and joint military exercises, meant to discourage potential dissidents and to protect young "revolutions" in each country, were fairly regular features of Ghana-Burkina relations.[14]

 Guyana 23 September 1987

Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 23, 1987.[15]

 Iceland

Burkina Faso is represented in Iceland by its embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark[16].

 India See Burkina Faso–India relations

India and Burkina Faso enjoy warm relations.

 Israel

Although Burkina Faso operates a consulate in Tel Aviv, Israel has no diplomatic nor consular presence in Burkina Faso.[17]

 Italy
 Ivory Coast

When Thomas Sankara came to power in 1983 relations between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast became hostile as Félix Houphouët-Boigny was threatened by Sankara's revolutionary regime. That was one of the main reasons why Blaise Compaore launched his coup in 1987 killing Sankara and making himself president. Under Blaise Compaore Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso reestablished good relations and both countries supported Charles Taylor's NPFL in their overthrow of Samuel Doe. They remain allies and are active trading partners.

 Japan 1960

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1960[20].

 Kosovo 24 April 2008

Burkina Faso recognised the Republic of Kosovo on April 24, 2008.[21] Burkina Faso and Kosovo established diplomatic relations on December 6, 2012.[22] Both countries enjoy excellent relationships.

 Libya See Burkina Faso–Libya relations
 Malta 8 February 2008

Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 8, 2008[23].

 Mexico 1976
  • Burkina Faso is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States and an honorary consulate in Mexico City.[24]
  • Mexico is accredited to Burkina Faso from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.[25]
   Nepal 29 December 2017
 Netherlands
  • Burkina Faso is represented in the Netherlands by its embassy in Brussels, Belgium and an honorary consulate in Rotterdam[27].
  • The Netherlands are represented in Burkina Faso by their embassy in Bamako, Mali[28].
 North Korea 11 October 1972[29] See Burkina Faso–North Korea relations
 Russia See Burkina Faso–Russia relations

Diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and the Soviet Union were established for the first time on February 18, 1967. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Burkina Faso recognized Russia as the USSR's successor. However financial reasons has shut the embassies between the two nations. In 1992, the embassy of the Russian Federation in Ouagadougou was closed, and in 1996, the embassy of Burkina Faso in Moscow was closed. Burkina Faso has since re-opened its embassy in Moscow.[30]

 South Africa May 1995
  • Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 1995[31].
  • Both countries are full members of the African Union.
 South Korea 20 April 1962

Establishment of diplomatic relations was on April 20, 1962, with visits in 1981 by Special Envoy of the President Roh Tae-woo, in 1983 by Park Chan-geung and in 1984 by Kang Kyung-shik.[32][clarification needed]

 Soviet Union See Burkina Faso–Soviet Union relations
 Sweden See Burkina Faso–Sweden relations

Sweden is a major contributor of developmental aid to Burkina Faso. The Burkina Faso–Sweden Friendship Association was formed in 1986 to promote exchange between the two countries.

 Turkey
 United States See Burkina Faso–United States relations

Relations are good but subject to strains in the past because of the Compaoré government's past involvement in arms trading and other sanctions-breaking activity. In addition to regional peace and stability, U.S. interests in Burkina are to promote continued democratization and greater respect for human rights and to encourage sustainable economic development. Although the Agency for International Development (USAID) closed its office in Ouagadougou in 1995, about $18 million annually of USAID funding goes to Burkina's development through non-governmental and regional organizations. The largest is a Food for Peace school lunch program administered by Catholic Relief Services. Burkina has been the site of several development success stories. U.S. leadership in building food security in the Sahel after the 1968–74 drought has been successful in virtually eliminating famine, despite recurrent drought years. River blindness has been eliminated from the region. In both cases, the U.S. was the main donor to inter-African organizations headquartered in Ouagadougou which through sustained efforts have achieved and consolidated these gains. In 2005, Burkina Faso and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a $12 million Threshold Country Program to build schools and increase girls' enrollment rates. In November 2005, the Millennium Challenge Corporation selected Burkina Faso as eligible to submit a proposal for Millennium Challenge Account assistance for fiscal year 2006, making it one of only two countries eligible for threshold as well as compact funding. The Government of Burkina Faso is working closely with MCC staff to finalize its compact submission.

 Uzbekistan

Burkina Faso recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on January 25, 1992[35].

 Vietnam

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Delegation of European Union to Burkina Faso Webpage.
  2. ^ Global Security Article on Burkina Faso's Foreign relations.
  3. ^  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2834.htm.
  4. ^ Our Foreign Staff (May 24, 2018). "Burkina Faso cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan after intense pressure from China". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  5. ^ "Taiwan 'won't tolerate Beijing's actions' after it loses another ally". South China Morning Post. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  6. ^ Stratfor article titled "More Drives Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso Together Than Apart"
  7. ^ Owusu, Maxwell. "Burkina". A Country Study: Ghana (La Verle Berry, editor). pp. 237
  8. ^ Army, United States Department of the (1977). Africa, Problems & Prospects: A Bibliographic Survey. U.S. Department of the Army.
  9. ^ [1]
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ Embassy of Burkina Faso in France
  12. ^ Embassy of France in Burkina Faso
  13. ^ [3]
  14. ^ Owusu, Maxwell. "Burkina". A Country Study: Ghana (La Verle Berry, editor). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (November 1994). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.[4]
  15. ^ [5]
  16. ^ [6]
  17. ^ "CONSULATE OF BURKINA FASO IN TEL AVIV, ISRAEL". embassypages.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  18. ^ [7]
  19. ^ [8]
  20. ^ [9]
  21. ^ "Burkina Faso recognizes Kosovo". New Kosova Report. April 24, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2009.
  22. ^ Republika e Kosovës dhe Republika e Burkina Faso nënshkruan Protokollin për vendosje të marrëdhënieve diplomatike, Embassy of Republic of Kosovo in Paris, 2012-12-06 (in Albanian)
  23. ^ [10]
  24. ^ Embassy of Burkina Faso in the United States
  25. ^ Embassy of Mexico in Nigeria
  26. ^ [11]
  27. ^ [12]
  28. ^ [13]
  29. ^ Wertz, Daniel; Oh, JJ; Kim, Insung (August 2016). Issue Brief: DPRK Diplomatic Relations (PDF). The National Committee on North Korea. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  30. ^ Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Burkina Faso
  31. ^ [14]
  32. ^ http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/middleeast/countries/20070804/1_24501.jsp?menu=m_30_50
  33. ^ [15]
  34. ^ [16]
  35. ^ [17]
  36. ^ [18]
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