Mali and Burkina Faso Impose Travel Bans on US Citizens in Response to US Entry Restrictions
Mali and Burkina Faso have announced that they will bar US citizens from entering their countries in response to the United States' expanded travel ban, citing reciprocity as the reason behind the measures. Mali's foreign ministry stated that the decision reflects principles of mutual respect and sovereign equality, and expressed regret over the US move, noting it was made without prior consultation. Burkina Faso's foreign affairs minister also described the ban as a reciprocal action.
These moves from Mali and Burkina Faso come just days after Niger implemented a similar travel ban on US citizens. All three countries are currently governed by military juntas and have shifted their alignment toward Russia.
The US White House announced full-entry restrictions on travellers from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestinian Authority passport holders. This latest expansion of the list of countries subject to full-entry restrictions will take effect on January 1 and aims to enhance US security.
Additionally, Laos and Sierra Leone were moved to the full ban list, while 15 other countries—including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe—were placed under partial restrictions. This development is part of a broader tightening of US immigration controls since President Trump took office.
