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Several African countries have begun imposing visa bans on United States citizens in what they describe as reciprocal measures following new US visa restrictions announced by President Donald Trump.
Mali and Burkina Faso Announce Tit-for-Tat Visa Bans
Mali and Burkina Faso are the latest countries to bar US citizens from entering their territories with immediate effect. The decision comes in response to Washington’s recent move to suspend visa access for citizens of the two West African nations.
Both countries, currently governed by military administrations, said their actions were based on the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements to US nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens,” Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, issued a similar statement, confirming that his country would mirror the US visa policy toward its citizens.
US Expands Visa Restrictions to 39 Countries
The US visa directive, issued on December 16, expanded full or partial visa bans to citizens of 39 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. According to the White House, the restrictions were imposed on national security grounds.
In addition to Mali and Burkina Faso, the US has announced full visa bans on citizens of:
- Laos
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Syria
The order also restricts entry for travellers holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
The new US restrictions are scheduled to take effect on Thursday.
Reasons Cited by the United States
US authorities said the affected countries were assessed based on several factors, including:
- Weak screening and vetting systems
- Poor information-sharing practices
- High visa overstay rates
- Failure to accept deported nationals
- Presence of terrorist groups or security threats
Some of the countries, particularly in the Sahel region, have long struggled with armed violence linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS), leading to mass displacement of civilians.
Niger and Chad Take Similar Action
On Friday, Niger also announced a ban on entry for US citizens, citing the same reciprocity principle. Like Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is under military rule and is a member of the Alliance of Sahel States, formed in July 2024 to address regional security and economic cooperation.
Meanwhile, Chad earlier stopped issuing visas to US citizens on June 6, allowing exceptions only for US government officials. Only Americans who obtained visas before June 9 are currently permitted entry.
Chad had been included in an earlier list of 12 countries whose citizens were subjected to a full US visa ban starting June 9.
Growing Diplomatic Tensions
According to the US-based Council on Foreign Relations, citizens of 39 countries are now affected by full or partial US travel restrictions. The retaliatory bans by African nations highlight rising diplomatic tensions and underscore how visa policies are increasingly being used as tools of foreign policy.
As more countries invoke reciprocity, analysts warn that the standoff could further strain US-Africa relations, particularly with nations already facing security and political challenges.
