The United States has halted nearly $160 million in US aid to Burkina Faso after determining the January ouster of President Roch Kabore constituted a military coup, triggering aid restrictions under US law, a State Department spokesperson said Friday.
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The State Department made the determination, which had not been previously reported, after "careful review," a department spokesperson said. The decision was made in line with a US law under which US foreign aid - except funds to promote democracy, must be stopped to a country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup or in a coup in which the military plays a decisive role.
In a notice to Congress, a copy of which was seen by Reuters, the State Department said it was exploring the possibility of overcoming the aid restrictions when in the US national interest, notably to provide lifesaving assistance in the health sector.
But Washington had not formally determined that the events in the West African country amounted to a coup and had not made a final decision on the fate of the aid.
