Mali and Burkina Faso have imposed travel restrictions on American citizens in a tit-for-tat move following the Trump administration’s travel ban, which included both African countries.
The two countries’ foreign ministries issued separate statements, citing the imposition of “equivalent measures” on US nationals after President Donald Trump expanded a sweeping travel ban to nearly 40 countries on the grounds of nationality.
According to Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, as a result of travel restrictions, “the US citizens would experience the same conditions and requirements as those imposed by the American administration on Malian citizens entering the United States.”
“The changes were being introduced as a matter of reciprocity and with immediate effect,” the ministry added.
Burkina Faso’s foreign ministry said, “It was applying equivalent visa measures to citizens of the United States of America.”
The ministry further added, “It remains committed to mutual respect, the sovereign equality of States, and the principle of reciprocity in its international relations.”
The recent move from African countries comes in response to Trump’s comprehensive travel ban on forty-one countries.
Earlier this month, the White House also announced full-entry restrictions on people belonging to South Sudan, Palestinian Authority and Syria.
The ban would come into effect on January 1, 2026 citing security reasons.
