Washington, D.C. | December 31, 2025
Mali and Burkina Faso Bar US Citizens After US Travel Restrictions
Mali and Burkina Faso have announced entry bans on US citizens, marking a retaliatory response to travel restrictions imposed earlier by the Trump administration. The decision was confirmed Tuesday through official statements issued by the foreign ministries of both West African nations.
The move follows Washington’s recent expansion of travel restrictions to include additional countries, among them Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Reciprocal Measures Cited
Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the action was taken under the principle of reciprocity. In a statement, the ministry said the government would “apply the same conditions and requirements to US citizens that are imposed on Malian nationals.”
A similar announcement was made by Burkina Faso’s foreign minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, who signed a statement outlining identical grounds for restricting entry of American citizens into the country.
Background: US Expanded Travel Restrictions
On December 16, the Trump administration broadened existing travel bans to cover 20 additional countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger—nations currently under military rule. The White House cited security concerns among the reasons for the move, including continued attacks by armed groups.
Both Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain rapidly expanding militant activity. Their military governments came to power after ousting civilian administrations, pledging to restore security and counter armed groups.
Wider Scope of US Restrictions
Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed full travel bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others. Countries under full bans included Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Partial restrictions were applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. More recently, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria were added to the full ban list, while 15 additional countries—including Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—were placed under partial restrictions.
Diplomatic Tensions Rise
The reciprocal bans underscore growing diplomatic tensions between Washington and several African nations affected by the expanded restrictions. While US officials emphasize security considerations, leaders in Mali and Burkina Faso argue the measures unfairly target their citizens.
