Two West African nations issue travel bans on American citizens
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The two West African countries imposed a simultaneous ban on American citizens in a diplomatic tit-for-tat move amid rising tensions with both the United States and Europe and at a time when Russia is seeking to expand its economic and geopolitical influence in the region.
Dozens of Wagner forces were massacred in Mali following an ambush by Tuareg rebels on July 27, 2024. (East2West)
Mali and Burkina Faso made the move in response to the Trump administration expanding travel restrictions to more than 20 countries on December 16. The policy particularly affected the African continent; Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Niger, Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan were also subject to travel restrictions.
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The Trump administration cited the continuation of armed attacks in both countries as the reason for its decision:
“According to the Department of State, terrorist organizations continue to plan and conduct terrorist activities throughout Burkina Faso. According to the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report (“Overstay Report”), the B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate in Burkina Faso is 9.16 percent and the student (F), professional (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa overstay rate is 9.16 percent. It was 9.16. Also 22.95 percent, Burkina Faso had historically refused to readmit its expelled citizens.”
Regarding the decision to include Mali in the list, he stated the following:
“According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, armed conflicts between the Malian government and armed groups are common throughout the country. Terrorist organizations operate freely in certain regions of Mali.”
Burkina Faso and Mali are currently ruled by military juntas that came to power amid increasing violence and instability; Both countries are under attack from Islamist terrorist groups.
A mural is seen in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on March 1, 2023. In the report published by Human Rights Watch on Thursday, April 24, 2024, it was stated that military forces in Burkina Faso killed 223 civilians, including babies and many children, in attacks on two villages accused of collaborating with militants. (AP Photo, File)
Both countries have also seen a rise in anti-French sentiment as relations deepen with Russia, which has promised to offer assistance in the fight against Islamist rebels battling central governments for regional control.
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“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation notifies the national and international community that the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply to citizens of the United States the same conditions and requirements that apply to citizens of Mali with immediate effect,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mali said. he said.
Malian soldiers check a vehicle in the garrison town of Kati, Mali, on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Malian soldiers took up arms and began detaining senior officers in an apparent mutiny. This raised fears of a possible coup after several months of anti-government demonstrations calling for the president’s resignation. (AP Photo/Mohamed Salaha)
The Burkina Faso government gave a similar reason for banning American travelers.
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Both countries, as well as neighboring Niger and Nigeria, have seen skyrocketing violence in recent years as chronically underfunded governments struggle to maintain control of rural, sparsely populated desert regions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
