Burkina Faso Rejects US Deportees Amid Visa Suspension

Fri Oct 10 2025 23:36:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Burkina Faso's military government has publicly refused to accept deportees from the United States, coinciding with the U.S. embassy's suspension of visa services in the country. The foreign minister raised concerns about potential pressure tactics from Washington.

Burkina Faso's government, led by Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, has refused U.S. proposals to accept deportees, viewing it as a form of 'blackmail' and a violation of dignity. This stance follows the U.S. suspension of routine visa services for Burkinabe citizens, forcing them to seek visa services in neighboring Togo. The military regime's relationship with the West has been increasingly tense since its rise to power through a coup three years ago.

Burkina Faso's military government has refused to take in deportees from the US as Washington suspended issuing visas in the West African nation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré questioned if the embassy's decision was blackmail after he said he had rejected an American proposal to take in migrants from third countries.

Donald Trump's administration has turned to African countries as a destination to deport migrants as part of his crackdown on immigration.

The US State Department and Department of Homeland Security has been contacted for comment.

Burkina Faso's leader, Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, styles himself as a pan-African champion, standing up to Western imperialism. His military government seized power in a coup three years ago and has maintained a frosty relationship with Western nations.

Appearing on state broadcaster RTB late on Thursday, the foreign minister asked: Is this a way to put pressure on us? Is this blackmail? Whatever it is... Burkina Faso is a place of dignity, a destination, not a place of expulsion.

He reported having met with the US Embassy on Wednesday where he rejected the offer that has been made repeatedly to accept deportees.

On Thursday, the US embassy in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou said on its website that it would temporarily pause issuing immigrant, tourist, student, and business traveler visas.

Instead, residents of Burkina Faso will have to travel to the US embassy in the capital of neighboring Togo.

Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré mentioned he received a diplomatic note from the US explaining that Burkina Faso was designated as a country whose nationals had not respected US visa regulations, which included references to proposals for deportees.

Several African nations, including Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan, have accepted individuals deported from the US in recent months. Eswatini accepted 10 deportees on Monday despite facing legal challenges, adding to an earlier group that the US characterized as serious criminals.

In contrast, Nigeria has announced it would not accept US deportees, reflecting similar sentiments regarding the US's immigration strategy.

Traoré also emphasized that the US proposal, which he considered indecent, goes against the principle of dignity, underscoring Burkina Faso's stand against perceived external pressures.