French President Emmanuel Macron extended his gratitude to King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Wednesday for mediating the release of four French citizens detained in Burkina Faso, Reuters reports.
The four individuals, previously identified by France's foreign intelligence agency DGSE as spies, were held in the capital Ouagadougou for a year before their release.
Morocco's foreign ministry credited its strong diplomatic ties with Burkina Faso for facilitating the process. The North African country has reportedly offered access to international trade via its Atlantic coast, reinforcing its regional influence.
This diplomatic success stands in stark contrast to France’s deteriorating relations with its former West African colonies. A wave of military coups across the Sahel has led to strained ties, with many countries now under military rule distancing themselves from France. In Burkina Faso, French troops and diplomats have been expelled, and certain French media outlets have been suspended.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations have criticized the region's military juntas for suppressing free speech and cracking down on political opposition.
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