Burkina Faso has refused to accept deportees from the United States, dismissing President Donald Trump’s migration proposal as “indecent.” The West African nation, led by a military junta known for its anti-Western stance, rejected Washington’s request to take in individuals expelled under Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
Since Trump’s return to office, his administration has sought to send deportees to third countries, including some with no prior ties to the individuals. While several African nations—Eswatini, Ghana, Rwanda, and South Sudan—have complied, Burkina Faso has opted out.
Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said on national television that the proposal “runs completely contrary to the principle of dignity.”
Following the rejection, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou announced the suspension of most visa services, redirecting Burkinabe applicants to Togo’s capital, Lomé.
“Is this pressure or blackmail?” Traoré asked. “Burkina Faso is a place of dignity—a destination, not a dumping ground.”
Under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in 2022, Burkina Faso has distanced itself from France and Western allies, pursuing closer relations with Russia.
