Some West African countries have taken action against the United States by announcing travel restrictions for American citizens. As a result, US citizens will no longer be able to travel to these countries because visas will not be issued.
Mali and Burkina Faso have officially announced that they are imposing these restrictions. This decision comes after a similar move by the US government earlier this month.
Reason Behind the Decision by Mali and Burkina Faso
In separate statements released late Tuesday, the foreign ministries of Mali and Burkina Faso said the decision was taken based on the principle of “reciprocity.” They explained that their action is a direct response to a US decision.
On December 16, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump had added Mali, Burkina Faso, and five other countries to a list facing a blanket US travel ban.
Details of the US Travel Ban
The White House stated that the expanded travel ban will take effect from January 1. According to the US government, the ban applies to countries that show ongoing
and serious shortcomings in screening, investigation, and information-sharing systems. These issues were cited as risks to US national security and public safety.
Mali’s Reaction to the US Decision
Mali strongly criticized the US move. On Tuesday, Mali said the decision to include it in the travel ban was taken without any prior consultation.
It also stated that the reasons given by the US were not supported by actual conditions on the ground.
Mali and Burkina Faso are not the only countries to take steps against the US after being included in the travel ban.
Other Countries Taking Similar Action
On December 25, Niger announced that it would stop issuing visas to US citizens. This information was reported by Niger’s state media, citing a diplomatic source.
Earlier, in June, Chad also announced the suspension of visas for US citizens. Chad was among the 12 countries included in the US travel ban list.
