Mali and Burkina Faso impose retaliatory travel ban on US nationals

BAMAKO, Mali — Mali and Burkina Faso have announced that they will ban U.S. citizens from entering their countries in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to ban Malian and Burkinabe citizens from entering the United States.

The foreign ministers of both West African countries issued separate statements, marking the latest development in the strained relationship between West African military governments and the U.S.

Following Trump’s expansion of travel restrictions to 20 more countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which are governed by juntas and have formed a breakaway association from the Economic Community of West African States, the retaliatory measures were announced.

The Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Government of Mali will apply the same conditions to US nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens.”

Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs also cited similar reasons for the ban on American nationals entering Burkina Faso.

The White House highlighted persistent attacks by armed groups as a key reason for the travel ban, as Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain the spread of these groups within their borders.