Burkina Faso Refuses to Take Deportees as US Stops Issuing Visas
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - In a move that has sparked international attention, the military government of Burkina Faso has refused to accept deportees from the United States after Washington suspended issuing visas in the West African nation.
According to sources close to the matter, the US Embassy in Ouagadougou had proposed an agreement with the Burkinabe government to take in migrants from third countries. However, Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré rejected the proposal, questioning whether it was a form of "blackmail."
"We cannot accept this kind of pressure," Traoré said in an interview with state broadcaster RTB late on Thursday. "Is this a way to put pressure on us? Is this blackmail?"
The US decision to suspend issuing visas in Burkina Faso is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to crack down on immigration. As a result, African countries have become increasingly important destinations for deportations.
Burkina Faso's military government, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, has had a frosty relationship with Western nations since seizing power in a coup three years ago. The country's leader styles himself as a pan-African champion, standing up to Western imperialism.
The US State Department and Department of Homeland Security have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond.
Background on the issue is complex. In recent years, the US has faced criticism over its deportation policies, with many arguing that they disproportionately affect vulnerable populations such as migrants and asylum seekers. The decision to suspend issuing visas in Burkina Faso has sparked concerns among human rights groups and international organizations.
"It's a worrying trend," said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. "The US is increasingly using deportation as a tool of immigration policy, rather than addressing the root causes of migration."
In related news, Ghana and Nigeria have also been targeted by the US for deportations in recent months. Critics argue that these countries lack adequate infrastructure to handle large numbers of migrants.
As tensions between Burkina Faso and the US continue to escalate, it remains unclear what the next steps will be. The Burkinabe government has vowed to maintain its stance against accepting deportees, while the US is expected to review its visa policies in the coming weeks.
The situation highlights the complexities of international relations and immigration policy, with multiple stakeholders vying for influence. As the world watches, one thing is clear: the fate of migrants and asylum seekers hangs precariously in the balance.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
