Burkina Faso Rejects U.S. Deportation Request, Calls It “Indecent” and Against National Dignity

In a bold diplomatic move, Burkina Faso’s military government has rejected a proposal from the United States to accept individuals deported from America who are not Burkinabè citizens. The decision, announced by Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré on national television on Thursday, October 9, 2025, underscores the West African nation’s firm stance on sovereignty and national pride.

Traoré described the U.S. request as “indecent and unacceptable,” stating that it contradicts the values and vision of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country’s leader.

“Burkina Faso is not a land of deportation but one of dignity,” he declared.


The rejection came just hours after the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou temporarily suspended visa services, redirecting applicants to the U.S. Embassy in Togo. The embassy did not provide reasons for the decision.

In response to a U.S. diplomatic note suggesting that Burkinabè nationals were misusing visas, the foreign minister dismissed the claim as a “pressure tactic.” He reaffirmed that Burkina Faso would not bow to external influence or compromise its integrity.

As of the announcement, neither the U.S. Department of Homeland Security nor the U.S. Embassy had issued an official statement addressing the matter.

This development comes amid rising global diplomatic tensions, as the White House also criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee over its decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, citing political bias.

Burkina Faso junta detains NGO workers for 'spying'
Burkina Faso’s military government has arrested eight staff members of the Dutch-based International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), accusing them of spying and treason. Those detained include three Europeans, a Malian, and four Burkinabé, among them the NGO’s country director and deputy.

Authorities claim the group collected and shared sensitive security data with foreign powers, posing a threat to national security. INSO denies the allegations, stating its information only supports humanitarian worker safety and was shared transparently with local authorities.

INSO’s Burkina Faso office was suspended on 31 July for allegedly gathering data without permission, but the government now accuses it of continuing secret activities afterward. INSO says it ceased operations after the suspension and has sought dialogue to secure the release of its staff.

The arrests come amid rising tensions between Burkina Faso’s junta-led government and Western nations. Since Capt. Ibrahim Traoré seized power in 2022, the country has cut ties with France, turned to Russia for support, and faced widespread accusations of human rights abuses and repression while battling Islamist insurgents.

Africa failed Gaddafi but we will not fail Ibrahim Traoré ✊🏿✊🏿

"Africa doesn’t need the World Bank, IMF, Europe, or America. We have what it takes to grow our economy without loans and refuse to be financial slaves."
— Ibrahim Traoré, President of Burkina Faso

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