Launched by the Collective for “A BETTER LIVING TOGETHER AT BF”
SUPPORT FOR THE OPEN LETTER FROM FRENCH AND EUROPEAN CITIZENS OF BURKINA FASO TO THE FRENCH EXECUTIVE
“We, a collective of around a hundred French and European citizens residing in Burkina Faso, some of them for several decades, of various nationalities, from various professions, from all political horizons, and suffering the effects of the escalation of hostilities diplomatic, let us express our deep disapproval of the positions and decisions of the French government regarding Burkina Faso in recent weeks, which have significant repercussions on living together in this country.
Unilateral and counterproductive measures with dramatic impacts for people
The cessation of the issuance of visas to Burkinabè nationals, the classification of the entire country in the red zone, the suspension of public development aid and cooperation, including cultural, as well as the reduction of consular staff have serious consequences:
Due to the cessation of the issuance of visas and the reduction in consular staff, the access of people, whether they are Burkinabè, French, Franco-Burkinabe, or other impacted nationalities, to their rights and opportunities offered to them is made complex, if not impossible.
Binational families are separated, artists are no longer able to practice their profession, cultural exchanges are suspended, Burkinabè doctors cannot train in France, students and researchers who thought they could continue their studies or research there , especially after obtaining scholarships, are blocked…
We consider that the cessation of the issuance of visas to Burkinabè nationals and the classification in the red zone of the entire country are deeply unfair and unjustified measures, which resemble retaliation following the Burkinabè position on developments in Niger: we who are on the ground do not see an increase in insecurity in the towns of Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso and Koudougou which would justify this reclassification, even less the total cessation of the issuance of visas to nationals Burkinabè.
Due to the sudden suspension of various public development supports, numerous bilateral cooperation projects risk being penalized and employees of these projects
licensed.
The slowdown in trade and people flows has a negative impact on local and international economic operators working with France and threatens many local jobs.
These decisions of the French government, unilateral and counterproductive, fuel tensions and resentment, weaken the quality relationships that exist between citizens of our
different countries.
French, European and Burkinabè citizens, we are linked!
Beyond the relationships between our different States and our leaders, there are a multitude of personal and professional links between families, associations, businesses, artists, students, researchers, etc. who are guarantors of the well-being and social and economic development of the citizens of our nations. These links must be preserved, continue and strengthen, regardless of current diplomatic tensions between our States. Without these friendly relations between our peoples, nothing new will be able to see the light of day. If we break these links, how will we rebuild living together?
Give us the space necessary to maintain this human solidarity!
To safeguard the intercultural human heritage that we nourish, maintain and build every day here, three measures must be taken without delay:
The cancellation of the red zone classification of the cities of Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso and Koudougou;
The resumption of cooperation (scientific, academic and cultural) and support actions for the benefit of the Burkinabè populations;
The immediate resumption of the issuance of visas to Burkinabè nationals, for example by processing files electronically.
We thank you in advance for the attention and responses you will provide to this
letter, written and validated collectively, carrying our convictions, our fears and our
hopes.
Ouagadougou, September 19, 2023 »