France said on Saturday it was considering taking ​reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso ‌broke off diplomatic relations.

Burkina Faso said on Friday it had severed links with ​its former colonial ruler after ​years of worsening ties over ⁠security, sovereignty and alleged foreign ​interference.

“France regrets this hostile and unfounded ​decision, which illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities,” the French ​foreign ministry said in a ​statement.

Burkina Faso’s junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore attends the first ordinary summit of heads of state and governments of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in Niamey, Niger July 6, 2024.

It urged French nationals in Burkina Faso “to ‌exercise ⁠heightened vigilance”.

The West African country has been battling an Islamist insurgency that has spread from Mali ​and killed ​thousands ⁠and displaced millions in the region over the ​past decade.

Burkina Faso Communications Minister ​Gilbert ⁠Ouedraogo said the decision took effect on Friday and accused ⁠France ​of supporting “subversive networks” and “terrorists”, ​charges that France has previously denied.

REUTERS