Mali and Burkina Faso have imposed entry restrictions on citizens of the United States in direct response to Washington’s decision to bar nationals of both countries from entering the US.
The two West African nations were recently subjected to full travel restrictions under an expanded travel ban introduced by US President Donald Trump. In reaction, authorities in Bamako and Ouagadougou announced that American nationals would now face similar limitations, describing the move as a reciprocal measure.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said the decision was guided by the “principle of reciprocity,” stressing that his country could not accept unequal treatment. Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed this position, underscoring the importance of “mutual respect and sovereign equality” in international relations. The Malian government also expressed disappointment over the US action, noting that such a far-reaching decision was taken without any prior consultation.
The development comes shortly after neighbouring Niger announced comparable restrictions on US citizens. Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are all currently governed by military administrations that came to power through recent coups. Over the past few years, the three countries have distanced themselves from traditional Western allies, formed a new regional alliance, and strengthened ties with Russia amid deteriorating relations with other West African states and Western governments.
Earlier in December, reports indicated that the United States had suspended the processing of immigration applications from 19 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, sparking concerns that thousands of applicants could be left in prolonged uncertainty. The Trump administration defended the policy, citing national security concerns following a recent attack on National Guard personnel in Washington, for which an Afghan national was arrested.
Under the revised policy, applicants from the affected countries are now subject to extensive security screening. US authorities have not disclosed how long the suspension will remain in effect or whether more countries may be added. Several nations on the list were already under partial restrictions, with the toughest measures applied to countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, and others.
The travel and immigration clampdown follows earlier remarks by President Trump, who issued a controversial Thanksgiving message calling for a permanent halt to immigration from what he termed “Third World countries,” while sharply criticising existing US immigration policies and political leadership.