Burkina Faso bans N Korea imports over nuclear weapons

Photo released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency showing an underwater test-fire of a strategic submarine ballistic missile. Burkina Faso has banned imports from North Korea to comply with tough UN economic sanctions over its weapons programme. PHOTO | KCNA VIA KNS | KCNA | AFP

What you need to know:

  • In September, a United Nations resolution was adopted placing tougher economic sanctions on North Korea after the United States pushed for further action.
  • Sanctions were imposed on North Korea due to its weapons programmes.

OUAGADOUGOU

Burkina Faso is banning imports from North Korea to comply with tough UN economic sanctions punishing Pyongyang over its nuclear weapons programmes, the government said on Wednesday.

The decision comes after an inquiry by the United States in October showed that Burkina Faso was still trading with North Korea despite sanctions imposed the month before.

BAN

"Following this inquiry, we conducted a thorough investigation at the commerce ministry and at the level of the finance department and found that there were economic operators importing from North Korea," said Foreign Minister Alpha Barry.

"Instructions have been given to the two ministries to end these importations," he said.

The ban applies to both Burkina Faso citizens and foreign nationals living in the country, he added.

SANCTIONS

According to official figures, imports from North Korea — mainly petroleum products — amounted to 3.8 billion CFA francs ($6.8 million, 5.8 million euros) in 2016.

In September, a United Nations resolution was adopted placing tougher economic sanctions on North Korea after the United States pushed for further action.

The UN hopes the fresh measures will pile pressure on Pyongyang to negotiate an end to its banned nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.