Russia has officially reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso after a 32-year hiatus, marking a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The embassy, which was closed in 1992, resumed its operations with the confirmation from the Burkinabe Foreign Ministry and the announcement from the Russian Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Alexei Saltykov. Saltykov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would appoint the new envoy to Burkina Faso, and in the meantime, he would oversee the mission in the country.

He also emphasized the strong and friendly ties between Russia and Burkina Faso, referring to the West African nation as an "old partner". This development comes at a time when Burkina Faso has been grappling with political and security challenges, including two military coups and a jihadist insurgency. The ruling junta, which came to power in September 2022, has sought to distance itself from France, its former colonial power, and strengthen its ties with Russia.

In fact, in October, Burkina Faso signed a deal with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant, aimed at increasing the country's energy supply and addressing the issue of electricity access, which currently stands at less than a quarter of the population. The reopening of the embassy signifies a renewed commitment from both Russia and Burkina Faso to strengthen their partnership and collaboration in various areas, including political, economic, and security matters. This move is expected to pave the way for enhanced cooperation and mutual benefits for both countries in the years to come.