The Burkina Faso government has banned imports from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, saying the move was aimed at complying with the tough United Nations economic sanctions against Pyongyang.
The decision comes following an inquiry by the United States in October that showed the African country was still trading with DPRK despite sanctions imposed a month before.
“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 DPRK,” Burkinabe Foreign Minister Alpha Barry said.
“Instructions have been given to the two ministries to end these importations,” he added.
The minister also said that the ban applies to both Burkina Faso citizens and foreign nationals living in the country.
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.
