Mali and Burkina Faso impose retaliatory travel ban on US nationals
BAMAKO, Mali– Mali and Burkina Faso announced Tuesday that they would bar U.S. citizens from entering their countries in retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to bar Malian and Burkinabe citizens from entering the United States.
The announcements, made in separate statements by the foreign ministers of the two West African countries, mark the latest twist in frosty relations between West African military governments and the United States.
On Dec. 16, Trump expanded previous travel restrictions to 20 additional countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which are ruled by juntas and have formed a breakaway association from the regional bloc, the Economic Community of West African States.
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informs the national and international community that, with immediate effect, the government of the Republic of Mali will apply to American nationals the same conditions and requirements as those imposed on Malian citizens,” the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Another statement signed by Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, cites similar reasons for banning U.S. nationals from entering Burkina Faso.
The White House cited continued attacks by armed groups as one reason for the travel ban. Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain armed groups that have spread rapidly in both countries. Juntas have vowed to fight armed groups after overthrowing civilian governments due to insecurity across much of the region.
