A Swiss citizen working on a U.S.-funded aid project has been arrested in Burkina Faso, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) confirmed on Tuesday. The motive for the arrest remains unclear, adding to growing concerns about diplomatic relations between Western nations and countries in the Sahel region.
“The FDFA is aware of the arrest of a Swiss citizen in Burkina Faso,” the department stated, providing no further details about the individual or the circumstances of their detention.
According to a foreign official familiar with Sahel issues, the arrested Swiss national was employed as the chief of party for Winrock International, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. The individual was working on a U.S.-funded aid project spanning both Niger and Burkina Faso, focusing on water security and resilience efforts in the region.
The official revealed that the Swiss citizen was initially detained in Niger alongside a British national. Both were subsequently released. However, upon traveling to Burkina Faso, the Swiss citizen was arrested and detained once again.
Winrock International, which maintains domestic offices in Arkansas and Virginia, has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing political instability in the Sahel region. Burkina Faso has experienced two military coups in recent years, leading to strained relations with Western powers. The country’s military junta, which seized power in a 2022 coup, faces accusations of suppressing dissent through kidnappings and forced conscription of critics.
The arrest also follows a series of diplomatic tensions in the region. On Monday, Denmark announced the closure of its embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso. This decision came in the wake of Mali’s expulsion of Sweden’s ambassador earlier this month following a diplomatic dispute.
Burkina Faso’s army is currently engaged in a fight against a jihadist insurgency that has spread across the Sahel region over the past 12 years. The worsening violence has contributed to political instability, leading to coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in neighboring Mali and Niger since 2020.
As of Tuesday, attempts to reach Burkina Faso’s ruling military junta for comment on the Swiss citizen’s arrest have been unsuccessful. The situation continues to develop, with international observers closely monitoring its potential impact on diplomatic relations and aid efforts in the region.
Reuters
