https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/18/burkina-faso-kicks-out-three-french
France has openly condemned the Burkinabe government for their expulsion of three French diplomats for no outright reasons other than “subversive activities” within their country. After the coup in September 2022, the military government of Burkina Faso has gradually made attempts to eliminate all French influence within their country. These efforts are made after Burkina Faso’s and France’s long colonial history, with French being the colonizer. This comes after Burkina Faso has removed French nationals, French media, French officials, and French troops from their country, although there are few signs that they mean ill intent, and are even shown to help the country socio-economically.
Although the means of removing foreigners from their country is looked down upon, it’s understandable from a colonial perspective why the Burkinabe desires a removal of foreigners. They likely envision a future of Burkina Faso where only ethnic Burkinabes run the country, outside from foreign influence and outside from another country potentially controlling the country’s affairs. Many African countries are starting to ally themselves with one another and even Russia to gain military forces against regional armed groups, signifying a great change in the historically aggressive African countries, although ties to Russia could signal to the West the growing distaste towards them and an inclination against supporting Western influence and policy.
If Burkina Faso were to commit a crime against another country, Burkina Faso has ratified the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities of the Court (APIC) but has not signed the Agreement of Enforcement Sentences with the ICC or the Agreement of Interim and Final Release with the ICC, so technically they would not be compelled to face the Hague in a trial should that event occur.