OUAGADOUGOU – In a significant diplomatic address, the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Dr. Apollinaire Kyélem de Tambèla, voiced strong criticism against Germany and France regarding their roles in his country’s ongoing battle against terrorism. Dr. Kyélem specifically rebuked Germany for not aiding in military training and accused France of indirectly supporting terrorist groups through the manipulation of arms sales.
According to Burkina Information Agency, his government’s requests for military support to traditional Western allies were met with refusal, complicating their efforts to combat terrorism effectively. “When we came to power, we requested weapons from our traditional partners, but they refused to accompany us. Germany refused to support us with military training. France has placed a blockade on the purchase of our weapons,” Dr. Kyélem stated during a meeting with the new German Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Dietrich Becker.
In contrast to the Western response, Dr. Kyélem highlighted the cooperation from Russia, China, and Turkey, who have provided weapons and military training. “When we buy weapons with Russia, we necessarily need Russian instructors to teach us how to use them, hence the reason for their presence. It’s not just the Russians, there are also the Chinese, the Turks, etc. They work in specific areas,” he elaborated, suggesting that these partnerships reveal the true allies of Burkina Faso during crisis times.
Ambassador Becker expressed his concern regarding the use of Russian-supplied weapons by terrorists in the region. Responding to these concerns, Dr. Kyélem pointedly accused France of duplicity in its dealings, alleging that French intermediaries purchase Russian weapons to resell them to terrorist groups. “The French, through intermediaries, can buy Russian weapons and resell them to terrorists to divert attention. France delivers weapons that it does not manufacture to make people believe that it is not involved. We took time to see France’s direct role in this crisis,” Dr. Kyélem asserted.
Addressing the German position, Ambassador Becker clarified that Germany’s post-World War II policies restrict military involvement outside the NATO framework, which includes limitations on arms sales to countries like Burkina Faso. “It is difficult for us to send the German army to Africa or to sell weapons. German public opinion would not understand this. It is not up to us to wage war in Africa,” he explained.
Despite the current tensions, Burkina Faso and Germany have maintained cooperative relations since 1961, focusing on development sectors such as agri-food systems, water and sanitation, and social cohesion.