Mali and Burkina Faso Issue Reciprocal Travel Bans on U.S. Citizens

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In a swift diplomatic countermove, Mali and Burkina Faso have announced they will bar United States citizens from entering their territories. The decision, effective as of January 1, 2026, serves as a direct retaliation to President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban, which recently placed several West African nations under full entry restrictions.

The foreign ministries of both countries cited the "principle of reciprocity" and the need for "mutual respect and sovereign equality" in their separate statements. Burkina Faso's Foreign Affairs Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, emphasised that the measure was a necessary response to Washington’s unilateral decision, while Mali expressed regret that such significant restrictions were imposed by the U.S. without any prior consultation.

The escalation follows a December 16 proclamation from the White House that added Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestinian Authority passport holders to a "full-entry restriction" list. The Trump administration defended the move as a national security necessity, citing deficiencies in identity management and information-sharing in those countries. Niger had reportedly imposed its own ban on U.S. nationals days earlier, signalling a coordinated stance among the three military-led nations.