Mali, Burkina Faso Impose Travel Restrictions On US Citizens
Mali and Burkina Faso have imposed travel restrictions on American nationals in a retaliatory move after the United States placed both countries on a no-entry list under President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban.
The two West African countries were recently subjected to full entry restrictions by the United States as part of the Trump administration’s tightened immigration policy.
In response, the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso announced that US citizens would face the same entry measures.
According to the BBC, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said the decision was taken based on the principle of reciprocity.
Mali’s foreign ministry also cited the need for mutual respect and sovereign equality in international relations.
Mali further expressed regret over the US action, noting that such a far-reaching decision was taken without any prior consultation with its authorities.
The move comes days after neighbouring Niger announced a similar travel ban on US citizens.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all currently governed by military juntas that came to power through recent coups.
In recent years, the three countries have formed a regional alliance and drawn closer to Russia as relations with other West African states and Western powers have deteriorated.
It was earlier reported that the United States had suspended the processing of all immigration applications from 19 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The suspension raised concerns that thousands of prospective immigrants could be left in prolonged legal uncertainty.
President Donald Trump’s administration defended the decision, citing national security concerns following an attack on National Guard members in Washington last week.
An Afghan national was arrested in connection with the incident.
Under the new policy, all applicants from the affected countries are required to undergo an extensive vetting process, according to AFP.
The US government did not indicate how long the suspension would last or whether more countries could be added to the list.
Several of the affected countries were already under partial travel restrictions.
Nations facing the strictest measures include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
