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The military government of Burkina Faso has declined to accept deportees from the United States, coinciding with Washington’s suspension of visa issuance in the West African nation.
Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré questioned whether the embassy’s action constituted “blackmail,” stating that he had rejected an American proposal to receive migrants from third countries.
The Trump administration previously identified African nations as potential destinations for migrant deportations as part of its broader crackdown on immigration.
Requests for comment have been submitted to the US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
Burkina Faso’s leader, Capt Ibrahim Traoré, has positioned himself as a pan-Africanist advocating for resistance against Western imperialism.
His military government assumed power three years ago through a coup and has since maintained a strained relationship with Western countries.
During an appearance on state broadcaster RTB on Thursday, Foreign Minister Traoré inquired, “Is this a way to exert pressure on us? Is this blackmail? Whatever the case may be, Burkina Faso is a place of dignity, a destination, not a place of expulsion.”
He stated that he met with the US Embassy on Wednesday, where he rejected the offer to accept deportees, an offer he claimed had been made repeatedly.
On Thursday, the US embassy in Ouagadougou announced on its website a temporary suspension of immigrant, tourist, student, and business traveler visas.
Burkina Faso residents will now be required to travel to the US embassy in neighboring Togo’s capital for visa services.
According to a local news outlet’s transcript of the interview, Foreign Minister Traoré stated that he received a diplomatic note from the US explaining that Burkina Faso was placed on a list of countries whose nationals had not adhered to US visa regulations, referencing the US proposals.
Several African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan, have accepted individuals from third countries who were expelled from the US in recent months.
On Monday, Eswatini accepted 10 deportees despite legal challenges, adding to a previous group of five whom the US described as serious criminals.
However, Nigeria has stated that it will not accept any US deportees.
The Trump administration’s policy aims to deport millions of immigrants residing in the US illegally.
“Naturally, this proposal, which we considered indecent at the time, runs completely contrary to the principle of dignity,” Traoré added.
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