Mali and Burkina Faso to bar US citizens in response to travel restrictions

Mali and Burkina Faso have announced plans to ban US citizens from entering their countries in response to similar travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration.

The two West African nations were recently included in the US’s expanded travel ban. In separate statements, both governments said they would enforce equivalent measures on American nationals.

Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, explained the decision as based on the “principle of reciprocity,” while Mali’s foreign ministry cited “mutual respect and sovereign equality,” expressing regret that the US acted without prior consultation.

The move follows reports that Niger has also imposed a travel ban on US citizens, although no official confirmation has been issued.

All three countries are currently governed by military juntas that seized power in recent coups. They have formed a regional bloc and strengthened ties with Russia after relations with other West African states and Western powers became strained.

Earlier in December, the White House announced full-entry restrictions on citizens from these three countries, South Sudan, Syria, and the Palestinian Authority, effective January 1, citing US security concerns. Laos and Sierra Leone were moved from partial to full restrictions, while 15 other countries—including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe—face partial restrictions.

Certain exceptions apply: lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats, and athletes traveling for major sporting events are unaffected. Case-by-case waivers will also be considered for travel deemed in the national interest.