Mali and Burkina Faso Enforce Travel Restrictions on Americans
Mali and Burkina Faso are set to implement travel restrictions for Americans as a reaction to President Trump’s announcement earlier this month that citizens from both West African nations would be denied entry into the United States starting January 1. In separate statements made on Tuesday, both governments indicated they were acting “in accordance with the principle of reciprocity,” enforcing the same travel limitations on Americans that were placed on their citizens. They also specified that the travel restrictions would take effect immediately, a decision made after Niger enacted a similar policy last week. Initially, the Trump administration enacted a travel ban on 12 nations in June. Following the arrest of an Afghan national linked to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington over the Thanksgiving weekend, Mr. Trump pledged to broaden the restrictions to additional countries. This month saw the ban expanded to 19 nations, including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, raising the total number of affected African nations to 12. Mali’s foreign ministry stated that it rejected the Trump administration’s claim that the decision was rooted in security issues, asserting that the United States made its determination without prior consultation with Mali.
Some African nations that have taken a more accommodating stance and complied with the requests to accept deportees from the U.S. have been granted exemptions from these travel restrictions. Shortly after Liberia consented to accept Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was improperly deported to El Salvador in March, the Trump administration increased visas for Liberians traveling to the United States from 12 months to 36 months. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are governed by military juntas following recent coups. The military leaders in these countries have largely cut ties with Washington and established closer relationships with Russia and China, along with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. They have also departed from the Economic Community of West African States, creating their own coalition. “While this is likely to further strain relations, it will also displace Washington’s influence,” commented Beverly Ochieng, an analyst with Control Risk, a risk management firm.
Since Mr. Trump’s re-election, he has aimed to reshape America’s relations with Africa. Although there have been instances of continued engagement, such as initiatives to resolve the conflict in Congo, analysts believe the president is primarily inclined to reduce involvement on the continent. The decision to diminish foreign aid funding has significantly impacted Africa, historically the largest recipient of U.S. support. Many U.S. diplomats withdrawn from service this month are thought to have been stationed in Africa. Nevertheless, the strategic significance of nations in the Sahel region, an area that includes countries located south of the Sahara, may enable them to sustain favorable ties with Washington. The Sahel, particularly Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, is responsible for more than half of the world’s terrorism-related fatalities, as reported by the United Nations. “Some of the closest partners of the Sahel countries — despite having unmatched military or financial resources unlike the U.S. — continue to position themselves in ways that are likely to provide them advantageous access in crucial areas, including defense, mining, and energy,” Ms. Ochieng noted.
Published: 2025-12-31 15:29:00
source: www.nytimes.com
