Moscow:Burkina Faso's Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, has called on France to end its reliance on African resources, urging the nation to focus on its own potential. He made these remarks during an interview with RT in Moscow, coinciding with the third Russia-Africa Summit.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Ouédraogo criticized France's historical resource extraction from its former colonies, likening the situation to a child needing to be weaned. He emphasized that the issue is not about Burkina Faso's liberation from France, but rather France's liberation from its dependency on African resources.

Ouédraogo highlighted the disparity between the resource wealth in African countries and the struggles faced by their populations, pointing out that despite rich mineral, forestry, and marine resources, many young Africans risk their lives seeking better opportunities abroad. He also referenced the long-standing policy of domination by France, recalling the 130th anniversary of a colonial invasion marked by violence in Burkina Faso.

The Prime Minister asserted the need for Burkina Faso to regain control over its strategic decisions, rejecting the notion that the country is now under Russian influence. He described the partnership with Russia as equitable and beneficial, emphasizing that Russia has no colonial history in Africa. Despite the departure of the French Development Agency, Ouédraogo insisted that Burkina Faso's economic and developmental conditions have improved, signaling a positive outlook for the future without French influence.