By Joe Udo
OUAGADOUGOU (CONVERSEER) – Burkina Faso has turned down a proposal from the United States to accept foreign nationals deported under President Donald Trump’s immigration policy, a move that further strains relations between Ouagadougou and Washington.
Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré confirmed that Burkina Faso rejected several approaches from the U.S. government, describing the request as “inappropriate” and “inconsistent with the country’s principles.” He stressed that the decision was taken in line with national sovereignty and the government’s foreign policy objectives.
Traoré clarified that Burkina Faso’s recent decision to lift visa fees for all African nationals should not be misinterpreted as an invitation to accommodate deportees who are not citizens of the country. “Our policy aims to strengthen African solidarity, not to become a dumping ground for unwanted migrants,” he said.
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The U.S. proposal comes amid ongoing enforcement of Trump-era immigration measures, under which Washington has sought third-party countries to accept foreign nationals facing deportation. While neighbouring Ghana has agreed to take in some West African deportees, Burkina Faso has firmly declined.
In response to the rejection, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou has temporarily suspended routine visa services and instructed applicants to seek consular assistance at its embassy in Lomé, Togo. The U.S. State Department has not issued an official statement on the development.
The decision highlights the growing diplomatic distance between Burkina Faso’s military government and Western powers. Under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the junta has strengthened ties with Russia, moving away from traditional Western alliances.
