‘If we catch a spy’ - Traore threatens death penalty in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso's leader Ibrahim Traore has threatened alleged spies with the death penalty as he stepped up warnings against what his government considers foreign interference.

Traore issued the warning on Sunday, months after Burkina Faso severed diplomatic relations with France. He also said his government could cut ties with the European Union.

"All the spies come under diplomatic cover. Everyone does it around the world. Should I keep them and allow them to carry out their dirty work? Against myself, against my people? No, I'm putting an end to it, and we are very firm," he said.

"If we catch a spy, the death penalty exists in Burkina, even if he comes undercover into our country. If you get caught, that's what we will apply," Traore added.

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Burkina Faso's government approved a draft penal code in December 2025 that would restore the death penalty for offences including high treason, terrorism and espionage. The bill still requires legislative approval. Capital punishment was abolished in the country in 2018.

Traore linked his warning over alleged spying to Burkina Faso's decision to cut diplomatic relations with France, accusing Paris of working against the country.

"I can't keep saying every day that it's France. That, you know, recently, we caught spies here upon shutting down. Well, we've had enough; we break ties, everyone goes home, and it's over. So that's pretty much the stance: to come back here, we must be ready," he said.

Burkina Faso severed diplomatic relations with France on June 26, accusing its former colonial ruler of acting against its interests. France described the decision as 'hostile and unfounded'.

Traore warns European Union

Traore also warned that Burkina Faso could end relations with the European Union if Brussels continued actions his government regarded as interference.

"We wrote to them, and we warned them. And we said to withdraw that kind of resolution if they continue to take these kinds of actions. We will cut all ties," he said.

"We are ready to endure any hardship, but we will overcome it. We are capable. The brains they have, we have them too. We have our resources; we will do everything. It will take as long as it takes, but we can break away from everyone," Traore added.

Traore has also named Ukraine's ambassador as someone who admitted involvement against the country.

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The European Parliament adopted a resolution on June 18 criticising restrictions on civic space, media and political freedoms in Burkina Faso. It also urged authorities to reverse their decision to leave the International Criminal Court.

Traore defends ICC withdrawal

Traore defended the move to leave the ICC, describing the court as an 'instrument of imperialism'.

"It is an instrument of imperialism. If the ICC truly existed, the George Bushes, Tony Blairs, and others should be in prison, even the Obamas. In Iraq, people were killed, weren't they, over tales of weapons of mass destruction? In the end, how many hundreds of thousands of children died? Zero. What did that yield? Who went to prison?," Traore said.

"The ICC, in truth, is made solely for Africans. Ever since its inception. How many Africans have been brought before the ICC, and how many of these Westerners have been brought to Syria? We will not remain part of an instrument of domination, and it is not just the ICC but any dominating institution or otherwise," he added.

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced plans to leave the ICC in September 2025.