France recalls ambassador to Burkina Faso after Ouagadougou ordered pullout of troops

France’s Foreign ministry Thursday said it has recalled its ambassador to Burkina Faso amid diplomatic tension after the government of the West African country ordered Paris to remove its troops from its soil in rejection of 2018 military agreement between the two countries.

“In the context of the latest developments in Burkina Faso, we have decided to recall our ambassador to Paris for consultations on the state and perspectives of our bilateral relations,” the Foreign ministry said.

French authorities Wednesday indicated they have received a formal termination of the 2018 agreement on the status of French armed forces present in the country. “According to the terms of the accord, the termination (of the 2018 agreement on the status of French armed forces present in the country) takes effect a month after reception of written notification,” a ministry spokeswoman said.

“We will respect the terms of the agreement by honoring this request.” About 400 French special forces are currently based in Burkina Faso in a deployment dubbed “Sabre,” part of a broader military presence to fight jihadists across the Sahel region. Burkina Faso has followed a similar course to neighboring Mali, falling out with Paris after a military coup brought a junta to power and the French presence became increasingly unpopular among the public.

Early this week after Ouagadougou reportedly made the request, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Burkina Faso leader Captain Ibrahim Traore to clarify the decision relayed by media. Off-late, several hundred demonstrators took to the streets of Ouagadougou to demand the departure of the French ambassador to Burkina Faso, Luc Hallade, and the dismantling of “Sabre” mission.