The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an order to suspend adoptions of children residing in Burkina Faso. This decision comes in the context of deteriorating tensions with France.
“All international adoption procedures involving children whose habitual residence is Burkina Faso by individuals habitually residing in France are suspended,” states an order from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published in the Official Journal on Saturday. However, this suspension does not apply to cases that have already been “matched” by Burkinabe authorities with a specific adoptive family for a given child.
“Families currently matched can continue their adoption process, ensuring they follow the recommendations of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs,” the French Adoption Agency (AFA) stated in a press release on Monday. Last year, seven Burkinabe children were adopted by French families, and a total of 268 since 2008, according to the agency.
Tensions between Paris and Ouagadougou This French decision comes in the context of deteriorating relations between France and Burkina Faso since the arrival in power in September 2022, through a military coup – the second in eight months – of Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The country decided last week to expel the military attaché of the French embassy in Ouagadougou, accusing him of “subversive activities.”
In March, Burkina Faso had denounced a 1961 military agreement with France, a few weeks after demanding and obtaining the withdrawal of the French force “Sabre” from the country plagued by jihadist violence. The government had also requested the permanent departure of all French military personnel serving in Burkinabe military administrations. The French ambassador to Ouagadougou was recalled after the September 2022 coup and has not been replaced since.
