Exclusive-U.S. halts nearly $160 million aid to Burkina Faso after finding military coup occurred

FILE PHOTO: Burkina Faso's President Roch Marc Christian Kabore speaks during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France, November 12, 2021. Julien de Rosa/ Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has halted nearly $160 million in U.S. aid to Burkina Faso after determining the January ouster of President Roch Kabore constituted a military coup, triggering aid restrictions under U.S. law, a State Department spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

The State Department made the determination, which had not been previously reported, after "careful review," a department spokesperson said. The decision was made in line with a U.S. law under which U.S. foreign aid - except funds to promote democracy - must be stopped to a country whose elected head of government is deposed by military coup or in a coup in which the military plays a decisive role.