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Tag: Ibrahim Traore

  • US stops issuing visas to Burkina Faso as govt refuses to take deportees

    US stops issuing visas to Burkina Faso as govt refuses to take deportees

    The Burkina Faso government, led by military leader Ibrahim Traore, has rejected the USA’s proposal to accept deportees. 

    Speaking during a televised interview on Burkina Faso’s national broadcaster RTB in Ouagadougou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, made the “blackmail” remark on Thursday, October 9.

    He disclosed that he has had several proposals from the Trump-led administration to become a hub for the illegal immigrants the US is deporting, but he insists they have rejected it several times.

    He said he had a meeting with the US Embassy on Wednesday in which he rejected the offer, which he says 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 traveller visas.

    He said he had a meeting with the US Embassy on Wednesday in which he rejected the offer – he says 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 traveller visas.

    In reaction, he quizzed, “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.”

    Due to the freeze on US visas to the Burkinabes, they now have to travel to the US embassy in the capital of neighbouring Togo.

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

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

  • Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traoré scores hat-trick in match against African football legends

    Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traoré scores hat-trick in match against African football legends

    Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré, made headlines on March 26, 2025, after delivering an impressive performance in a football match featuring some of Africa’s most celebrated legends.

    Captaining a team of non-legendary players, Traoré put on a spectacular show, netting three goals in style.

    His first came from a perfectly executed free-kick that sailed past the goalkeeper.

    He followed up with a powerful strike from distance before completing his hat-trick by swiftly reacting to a rebound and slotting the ball home.

    The star-studded game featured legendary footballers, including former Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor and Nigerian maestro Jay-Jay Okocha. Also on the field were Cameroon’s Stéphane Mbia, along with Senegalese greats Mamadou Niang and Souleymane Diawara.

    Traoré’s standout performance has captivated fans and sports enthusiasts alike, earning him admiration not just as a leader but as a skilled footballer.

    At 37, he continues to prove that his talents extend beyond the political arena and onto the football pitch.

  • Elections are ‘not a goal’ in Burkina Faso – Capt. Ibrahim Traore

    Captain Ibrahim Traore, Burkina Faso’s military leader, stated on state television that elections are currently “not a priority” compared to addressing security concerns in the country.

    This announcement comes nearly a year after he came to power in a coup, promising to restore democracy and hold presidential elections by July 2024. Traore also revealed plans to make changes to the constitution to better represent the “masses.”

    He emphasized that security is the primary concern in a nation plagued by militia violence and indicated that organizing elections was still a goal, without specifying a date.

    He emphasized the need for elections to be inclusive, reaching all Burkinabe citizens, not just those in major cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso that have been less affected by militia attacks.

    Traore also discussed plans for a “partial change” to the constitution, citing the current text’s limited representation and the need for peaceful evolution.

    Despite initial hopes that Traore’s efforts to improve security would yield results, Burkina Faso continues to face militia violence. Over 17,000 people have died in attacks since 2015, with more than 6,000 of those deaths occurring this year.

    The relationship between Burkina Faso and France deteriorated under Traore’s leadership, leading to the withdrawal of French forces from the country.

    Burkina Faso has since strengthened ties with Russia and formed an alliance with Mali and Niger, both of which are also led by military regimes.

    Concerns about eroding personal freedoms and alleged abuses by security forces have arisen in Burkina Faso, leading to the suspension of several media outlets and the expulsion of foreign correspondents.

    Traore mentioned that individual freedoms should not take precedence over collective freedoms, and he denied any significant unrest within the army following the foiled coup attempt.