The armed groups known as al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) are designated as terrorist organizations by numerous countries and international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council.

According to a letter from the foreign ministry viewed by Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP), Burkina Faso has accused three French diplomats, Gwenaelle Habouzit, Herve Fournier, and Guillaume Reisacher, of engaging in "subversive activities" and has ordered them to leave the country within 48 hours. However, the government did not provide specific details regarding the allegations against them.

Reuters, citing a source with direct knowledge of the situation, reported that the expulsion of the three French diplomats from Burkina Faso was attributed to meetings they held with civil society leaders.

France denounced the action on Thursday, with Christophe Lemoine, a spokesperson for France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stating, “There were no legitimate grounds for the Burkinabe authorities’ decision. We can only deplore it.” Lemoine emphasized that the allegations against the three diplomats were "unfounded."

Since seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Burkina Faso's military government has distanced itself from France, its former colonial ruler, by expelling French troops, suspending certain French media outlets, and frequently accusing French officials of espionage.

On December 1 of last year, Burkinabe authorities detained four French officials holding diplomatic passports in the capital, Ouagadougou, on charges of espionage, as reported by Le Monde newspaper. The officials, whom France claims were providing IT support, are currently under house arrest, according to security sources in Burkina Faso.

In December 2022, Ouagadougou similarly expelled two French citizens employed by a Burkina Faso company, citing espionage accusations.

Amid worsening ties with France, Burkina Faso has sought greater security support from Russia, Mali, and Niger to combat militants associated with terrorist factions like al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).