In brief
Mali and Burkina Faso have announced a travel ban for US citizens, citing reciprocity following new US entry restrictions affecting their nationals. This comes as both countries, along with Niger, pivot their alliances towards Russia following strained relations with Western powers. The bans highlight escalating diplomatic tensions amidst security concerns.
Mali and Burkina Faso say they will bar US citizens from entering their countries in response to a similar move by the Trump administration.
The two West African states were recently placed under full entry restrictions under US President Donald Trump's expanded travel ban.
In separate statements, they said they would apply the same measures on US nationals.
Burkina Faso's foreign affairs minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré stated that the government was acting on the principle of reciprocity, while Mali's foreign ministry expressed the need for mutual respect and sovereign equality. The latter added that it regretted the US's move, emphasizing that such an important decision was made without any prior consultation.
The announcement follows Niger's declaration of a similar travel ban on US citizens, marking a collective response among the three military-led nations.
These countries have formed a regional bloc and are aligning closer with Russia amid deteriorating relations with Western countries.
Earlier in December, the White House specified that full-entry restrictions would be imposed on citizens from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger starting January 1, intended to protect the security of the US.
The travel ban by the US is part of a broader strategy to control immigration and risks exacerbating already tense international relations.
