Mali and Burkina Faso have announced travel restrictions on United States nationals in a reciprocal response after Washington placed both countries on a no-entry list.
In separate statements issued by their foreign ministries and seen by AFP on Wednesday, the two countries said they were imposing “equivalent measures” on American citizens. The move follows the decision by US President Donald Trump to expand a travel ban to nearly 40 countries this month, based on nationality.
The expanded US travel restrictions include citizens of Syria, holders of Palestinian Authority passports, and nationals of several African countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan. The White House said the ban targets foreigners deemed to “intend to threaten” Americans.
Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said it would apply “equivalent visa measures” to US citizens, while Mali announced that it was enforcing, with immediate effect, the same conditions and requirements imposed by US authorities on Malian nationals seeking entry into the United States.
Mali’s government expressed regret that the United States took “such an important decision without the slightest prior consultation.”
Both Mali and Burkina Faso are ruled by military juntas and are members of a regional confederation that also includes Niger.
Although Niger has not officially announced countermeasures, the country’s state news agency reported last week, citing a diplomatic source, that reciprocal steps had been approved.
In his December 17 announcement, President Trump also imposed partial travel restrictions on citizens of other African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The restrictions extend beyond Africa to include Canada and Mexico.
The decision has sparked diplomatic tensions, with affected countries criticising the lack of consultation and the broad application of the restrictions based solely on nationality.
