The United States has decided to remove Burkina Faso from the list of sub-Saharan countries benefiting from the AGOA agreement (Law on Growth and Development Opportunities in Africa or African Growth Opportunities Act), for not having demonstrated progress towards a return to democracy.
“I made this decision because I determined that the government of Burkina Faso has not made continuous progress in establishing respect for the rule of law and political pluralism,” said the leader. American, Joe Biden, in a correspondence addressed to the American Congress.
The American authorities do not hesitate to exclude any country that violates the principles of AGOA concerning human rights, good governance and the protection of workers.
This agreement was put in place in 2000 under the Clinton administration to facilitate and regulate trade between the United States and Africa. Not only does it facilitate African exports to the United States to support economic development, but also grants import tax reductions to Africa.
Burkina Faso has experienced two coups in less than a year, in January and September 2022. His exclusion will take effect from January 1, 2023.
Last January, Washington had excluded Ethiopia, Mali and Guinea Conakry “due to actions taken by each of their governments in violation of the statutes” of the agreement. Burkina is therefore the fourth country to be withdrawn.
By OMA Newsletter N° 923 of 03/11/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
