Mali and Burkina Faso have announced new travel restrictions on United States nationals, describing the move as a reciprocal response to Washington’s recent expansion of its travel ban affecting several countries, including those in Africa.
In separate statements issued by their foreign ministries on Wednesday, both West African nations said they would apply visa measures on American citizens equivalent to those imposed by the United States on their nationals.
The decision follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump earlier this month, expanding a travel ban to nearly 40 countries based on nationality.
The list includes Syria, Palestinian Authority passport holders, and several African nations such as Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Reacting to the development, Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would enforce “equivalent visa measures” against US nationals.
“Burkina Faso has decided to apply equivalent visa measures to American citizens, in line with the restrictions imposed by the United States,” the ministry said.
Mali, in its statement, said the policy would take effect immediately, stressing that American citizens would now face the same entry conditions imposed on Malians seeking to enter the US.
“With immediate effect, Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements on American nationals that American authorities impose on Malian citizens,” the statement read.
The Malian government also expressed dissatisfaction with the US decision, saying it was taken without consultation.
“Mali regrets that such an important decision was made by the United States without the slightest prior consultation,” the foreign ministry added.
The United States had justified the expanded ban by stating that it aimed to prevent the entry of foreigners who “intend to threaten” Americans.
Mali and Burkina Faso, both governed by military-led administrations, are members of a regional confederation that also includes Niger.
While Niger has not officially announced countermeasures, its state news agency recently quoted a diplomatic source as saying reciprocal steps had been approved.
President Trump’s December 17 announcement also introduced partial travel restrictions on citizens of other African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, despite Senegal and Ivory Coast qualifying for next year’s FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States alongside Canada and Mexico.
