Two West African countries have banned Americans from visiting in response to the Trump administration’s own travel ban.
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informs the national and international community that, with immediate effect, the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements to US nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens,” the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, similarly said in a translated statement that the country “informs national and international public opinion of its decision to apply equivalent visa measures to nationals of the United States of America.” It added, “The government of Burkina Faso remains committed to mutual respect, the sovereign equality of States, and the principle of reciprocity in its international relations.”
President Trump issued the restrictions on foreign nationals on December 16, with the White House explaining that the measure is “necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose, garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.”
Discussing the inclusion of Burkina Faso on the list, the White House stated that “terrorist organizations continue to plan and conduct terrorist activities throughout Burkina Faso.” Regarding Mali, the White House said that “armed conflict between the Malian government and armed groups is common throughout the country. Terrorist organizations operate freely in certain areas of Mali.”
