Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel measures against citizens of the United States.
The two West African countries were recently subjected to full entry restrictions under an expanded travel ban introduced by US President Donald Trump.
In separate communications released late on Tuesday, both governments explained that the action was intended to mirror the conditions their citizens now face when seeking entry into the United States.
Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it regretted that the US decision was taken without prior consultation.
The ministry argued that the security reasons cited by the US “contradicts the real developments on the ground” and suggested that the decision was driven by other considerations.
“In application of the principle of reciprocity, the government of the Republic of Mali will apply, with immediate effect, to American nationals the same conditions and requirements as those imposed on Malian citizens,” the statement reads.
Similarly, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said his country would enforce equivalent visa requirements for US nationals.
“The government of Burkina Faso has taken note of the decision announced on December 16, 2025, by the authorities of the United States of America regarding the strengthening of entry restrictions on their territory,” Traoré said.
He added that the US move was inconsistent with the principles of sovereign equality and mutual respect.
The US action forms part of a wider immigration policy announced by the White House, which involves permanent or temporary suspension of visas and entry for nationals of several countries.
US authorities said the policy is aimed at protecting national security, citing concerns about identity-management systems, information-sharing gaps, and visa overstay rates in the affected countries.
The expanded restrictions, which take effect on January 1, 2026, place Mali and Burkina Faso among more than 20 countries facing full or partial entry bans into the United States.
Alongside Niger, which was also included in the latest list, Mali and Burkina Faso have recently moved away from Western alliances while strengthening cooperation under the Alliance of Sahel States.
The three countries are governed by military-led administrations and have deepened ties with Russia in recent years, while expelling French and US troops previously deployed in their territories.
