Mali and Burkina Faso have announced travel restrictions on US nationals in a reciprocal move after Washington placed both countries on a no-entry list.
In separate statements issued by their foreign ministries and seen by AFP on Wednesday, both countries said they were imposing “equivalent measures” on American citizens following the expansion of a US travel ban to nearly 40 countries by President Donald Trump earlier this month.
The US list includes citizens of Syria, Palestinian Authority passport holders, and nationals of several African countries, including Niger, Sierra Leone and South Sudan. The White House said the restrictions target foreigners who “intend to threaten” Americans.
Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said it was applying “equivalent visa measures” to US citizens, while Mali said it would, “with immediate effect,” enforce the same entry conditions on Americans as those imposed on Malians seeking to enter the United States.
Mali also expressed regret that the decision was taken “without the slightest prior consultation”.
Both countries are governed by military juntas and are members of a regional confederation that also includes Niger.
Niger has yet to formally announce countermeasures, but its state news agency reported last week—citing a diplomatic source—that reciprocal restrictions had been decided.
Trump’s December 17 announcement also imposed partial travel restrictions on citizens of other African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Senegal. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation, while Ivory Coast and Senegal have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
