The government has halted construction work at the residence of the French ambassador in Ouagadougou. This development was reported by the official news agency, which stated that the ongoing construction involved buildings and fuel storage facilities.
According to the Burkinabe news agency, construction began in 2023, resulting in the completion of three buildings housing 28 rooms and a fuel reserve, with the diesel reserve already replenished.
However, the Burkinabe government has ordered the cessation of construction activities and suspended fuel supply because the French embassy allegedly failed to obtain demolition and construction permits.
Authorization Requirement
Although the area designated for the residence falls under French territory by international rules, Ouagadougou asserts that such operations necessitate authorization from the relevant authorities.
A diplomatic source explained that the initial intention was to renovate existing buildings within the French residence. “Given the scale of the project, the embassy decided to demolish the old structures and construct modern housing for diplomatic staff or to accommodate delegations visiting Burkina Faso,” the source emphasized.
At present, construction work has been suspended while both parties seek common ground.