A diplomatic crisis rooted in France’s suspension of student visas in Sahelian countries has been affecting hundreds of students in the region.
A diplomatic crisis rooted in France’s suspension of student visas in Sahelian countries has been affecting hundreds of students in the region.
In a small bedroom in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, Ophelie Ouedrago, an 18-year-old university student, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of a diplomatic crisis that has disrupted the dreams of many young scholars in the Sahel region.
She hunches over her laptop, diligently reviewing her medical school notes, a routine she has grown accustomed to. Her suitcase, initially meant for a journey to the University of Montpellier in France, now gathers dust in a corner, a poignant symbol of thwarted ambitions.
Ophelie is just one of the countless students from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger whose educational pursuits have been derailed by the escalating diplomatic tensions between these Sahelian countries and France. The heart of the issue lies in the suspension of student visas by France for individuals residing in these countries, citing security concerns.
As Ophelie and her peers grapple with the uncertainties of remote learning, this crisis represents only one facet of the deteriorating relationship between the Sahel states and their former colonial power, France.
Over the past three years, all three countries have experienced coups and are grappling with jihadist insurgencies, with some holding France accountable for their challenges. Consequently, France has withdrawn its troops and ambassadors from these nations.
This decision to halt visa issuance through consulates on-site is part of what Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna refers to as the “reduced operation of our embassies” in the region. Beyond students, it affects researchers, artists, and cultural exchanges, leading to accusations that Paris is retaliating at the cost of culture.
While exact figures remain undisclosed, the Council of Nigeriens of France (CONIF) estimates that 380 people in Niger alone have been impacted by this visa suspension. In the 2022-2023 academic year, there were thousands of Malian, Burkinabe, and Nigerien students in France, as reported by Campus France, a government agency promoting French higher education abroad. Minister Colonna clarified that the suspension does not affect students or artists already in France.
Hassane Doulaye Abdoul-Kassoum, a doctoral student in geography at Abdou Moumouni University in Niamey, reflects on how this abrupt change has affected his academic aspirations. Awarded a six-month scholarship to complete his thesis in France, he emphasizes that the Sahelian authorities have denounced military accords, not scientific ones, making the blanket visa suspension appear excessive.
“We contribute to and influence the French-speaking world; we speak French, and we will speak French,” emphasizes CONIF President Aboubakar Lalo. The fear is that abandoning this cultural and academic connection could lead to radicalized discourse and tarnish France’s image in the region.
French authorities cite safety concerns for their staff as a primary reason for the reduced presence on the ground, making visa issuance more challenging. They vehemently deny exploiting the situation to their advantage. Minister Colonna reaffirms that artists, researchers, and students from these countries are always welcome in France.
The catch-22 faced by students seeking visas in neighboring countries highlights the complexity of the situation. Consulates can only accept applications from individuals who legally reside in the country where the consulates are located, leaving many students with no viable options.
France has hinted that it may reconsider the situation based on security developments. But for students like Ophelie and Baharou Sarimou Abdoulahi, a doctoral student in sociology at Niamey’s Abdou Moumouni University, the damage is already there. The academic year has commenced, leaving them with little hope of resolution.
Baharou Sarimou Abdoulahi underscores the broader implications, as French academics may also face restrictions in conducting research in Niger. This crisis underscores how diplomatic tensions profoundly affect young scholars’ aspirations and futures in the Sahel.
