"For security reasons, the France has suspended since August 7 the issuance of visas from Niamey, Ouagadougou and Bamako, as well as the implementation in these countries of our cultural cooperation actions," the ministry said.
Questioned by AFP, the Ministry of Culture said it had not asked for "any deprogramming of artists, of any nationality whatsoever".
"This decision does not affect people who hold visas issued before that date or who reside in France or other countries," he added.
In a statement published Thursday, the Syndeac (National Union of Artistic and Cultural Enterprises) and its counterparts the AAC, ACCN, A-CDCN, ACDN AND ASN REACTED STRONGLY TO THE MESSAGE THEY CLAIM TO HAVE RECEIVED Wednesday "from the DRAC", the regional directorates of culture, and "drafted on the instruction of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs".
"This message with a comminatory tone asks our members to +suspend, until further notice, all cooperation with the following countries: Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso+," the unions said in a statement.
"All cooperation projects that are carried out by your institutions or services with institutions or nationals of these three countries must be suspended, without delay, and without any exception," said the message, sent by email and that AFP was able to consult.
"All financial support must also be suspended, including via French structures, such as associations for example. In the same way, no invitation from any national of these countries should be issued," the message continues.
It was "relayed by all the DRAC", told AFP an official of that of Occitanie, interviewed by phone.
On 29 July and 6 August, the France suspended all its development aid and budget support operations with Niger and Burkina Faso. In November 2022, it had already done so for Mali.
"The cultural sphere is impacted like the others by the closure of consular and security services," a source close to the case told AFP.
© 2023 AFP