US Visa Row: Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger ban American citizens
Four African countries, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger have announced travel bans against American citizens, in what officials described as reciprocal actions to recent United States visa restrictions on their nationals.
The affected countries said the decision followed the inclusion of several African nations on a US travel and visa restriction list approved under policies of the administration of US President Donald Trump. The US had cited national security and immigration compliance concerns as reasons for the restrictions.
In a statement, the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country would apply the principle of reciprocity, stressing that American citizens would now face the same entry conditions imposed on Malians by the United States.
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Similarly, Burkina Faso’s government announced a suspension of visa issuance to US passport holders, describing the move as necessary to protect national dignity and equality in diplomatic relations.
In Niger, authorities went further by announcing an indefinite suspension of visas for American citizens, effectively barring their entry into the country. A government source said the decision was directly linked to Niger’s placement on the US visa restriction list.
Earlier, Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby confirmed that Chad had also halted visa issuance to US citizens, saying the policy was a response to what he described as unfair treatment of Chadian nationals by Washington.
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The four countries, all members of the Alliance of Sahel States, said the measures would remain in force until the US reviews its visa policies affecting their citizens.
The developments have heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and parts of the Sahel region and are expected to impact tourism, business travel and bilateral engagements, as calls grow for dialogue to resolve the standoff.
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