PARIS – Hundreds of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger students are facing uncertainty and frustration as they struggle to obtain visas for France, where they have been accepted for academic or professional programs.
The visa freeze results from the deteriorating relations between France and the three West African countries, which have experienced coups in the past three years. The military juntas that seized power have accused France, their former colonial ruler, of meddling in their affairs and have expelled its troops and diplomats.
France, which has been fighting Islamist militants in the Sahel region for nearly a decade, has responded by suspending its consular services and development aid to the three countries, citing security concerns. This has affected students, researchers, artists, and businesspeople with long-standing ties with France.
According to a French diplomatic source, France issued 907 student and trainee visas for Burkina Faso nationals, 689 to Malians and 436 to Nigeriens in 2020. But this year, many of them have been left in limbo, unable to complete their visa applications or receive any updates on their status.
Alfred Nikiema, a medical student from Burkina Faso, was overjoyed when he received an email from his university allowing him to resume his visa paperwork for a psychiatry specialization at a French hospital next year. He had almost given up on his dream of gaining international experience after France closed its consular services in his country in August.
“Being able to go to another country and have a different experience is enriching,” he said.
But his joy was short-lived. He soon learned that he would have to travel to neighboring Ghana or Ivory Coast to submit his biometric data and attend an interview at a French visa center. This would entail additional costs and risks, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I don’t know if I can go,” he said. “It’s very complicated.”
Tondri Yara, an international law student from Burkina Faso, was also been preparing for an exchange program at a French university since October 2020. He had secured a scholarship and a place at a campus residence. However, he could not get his visa before the consular services were suspended.
“At the last minute, you can’t get a visa. It takes a lot of energy to change plans,” he said.
He is now considering other options for his thesis, such as Canada, Switzerland, or Belgium. But he fears switching will delay his graduation and affect his career prospects.
“I hope that the situation will improve soon,” he said.
The French authorities have assured that students, artists, and researchers already in France are welcome and can pursue their activities. They have also said that they are working on finding alternative solutions for visa applicants from the three countries.
But many are losing hope and patience as they wait for a breakthrough in the diplomatic crisis. Some have launched online petitions and campaigns to draw attention to their plight and urge France to resume its visa services.
They say that they are not responsible for their governments’ political decisions and should not be punished for pursuing their dreams.
They also say that France is losing an opportunity to foster cultural exchange and mutual understanding with its former colonies, facing multiple challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and climate change. They hope that France will recognize their potential and value as partners and allies in the future.
Source: Reuters
