Mali and Burkina Faso announced travel bans on U.S. citizens in response to tightened U.S. immigration controls implemented under the Trump administration. The two West African nations, recently placed under full entry restrictions by the U.S., stated they would apply reciprocal measures to U.S. nationals.
Burkina Faso's foreign affairs minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, said the government was acting on the "principle of reciprocity." Mali's foreign ministry expressed regret over the U.S. decision, calling for "mutual respect and sovereign equality" and noting the decision was made "without any prior consultation."
The travel bans follow a similar announcement from neighboring Niger. All three states are currently governed by military juntas that came to power through coups. These nations have also formed their own regional bloc and have been shifting their alliances.
The U.S. restrictions prompting these responses were part of an expanded travel ban initiated under President Donald Trump. Details of the specific restrictions imposed by the U.S. on citizens of Mali and Burkina Faso were not immediately available. The U.S. State Department has yet to issue a formal response to the travel bans imposed by Mali and Burkina Faso. It remains unclear what impact these bans will have on diplomatic relations and citizen travel between the countries.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment