Ibrahim Traoré, the anti-Western military junta leader of Burkina Faso, received the credentials of Israeli Ambassador Simon Sroussi in a notably warm ceremony, according to reports from the West African country. The event signals continued ties between Israel and Burkina Faso despite the junta's expulsion of French forces.
The junta leader of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, received Israeli Ambassador Simon Sroussi's credentials in what local reports described as an especially warm ceremony in the capital. Traoré, who has adopted an anti-Western stance and recently expelled French forces from the country, continues to maintain friendly ties with Israel. The ambassador's accreditation covers Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Benin.
Separately, recent reports have indicated secret negotiations to advance Israel-Mali relations.
The development comes at a time when Turkey is deepening its presence in Africa — a context the reporting highlights as a reason for Israel's strategic interest in strengthening ties across the continent. As The Zioneer previously reported, Burkina Faso's junta formally severed diplomatic relations with France in mid-2025.
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