Burkina Faso: Behind Macron’s Anger Towards the Director of External Intelligence Following the Arrest of 4 DGSE Agents

According to information from the Quai d’Orsay, the hasty publication of the « Jeune Afrique » newspaper may have compromised the chances of the release of the detained French citizens. The same sources indicate that the DGSE, in addition to its failures related to the fall of President Ibrahim Traoré’s regime, thwarted a French negotiation plan for an exchange with the presumed assassin of journalist Norbert Zongo, who is none other than François Compaoré, the brother of former President Blaise Compaoré, whose extradition France has consistently refused.

While the Quai d’Orsay was preparing to negotiate with the Burkinabe authorities, « Jeune Afrique » a media outlet aligned with French interests, published an article giving the impression that the Burkinabe authorities were contradicting the arrest of the 4 French DGSE spies.

This publication by « Jeune Afrique » further complicates French negotiations seeking the extradition of the 4 French individuals. By attempting to undermine the Burkinabe authorities, by rushing the publication in this newspaper, the director of French external intelligence prompted President Emmanuel Macron to dismiss him for incompetence.

In addition to this, there is the failure of the attack on Djibo and the resounding defeat of the terrorists who no longer receive intelligence from the French DGSE to counter the rise of the Burkinabe Defense and Security Forces. The system implemented by the Burkinabe authorities undermines the French DGSE, witnessing the decline of its terrorist allies.

The arrest of the 4 DGSE French agents on Burkinabe territory, while several plots are underway to end the transition of President Ibrahim Traoré, represents one failure too many for President Emmanuel Macron.

 Sarrah DIOP