The governments of Mali and Burkina Faso have announced they will impose reciprocal visa and entry restrictions on U.S. citizens, citing the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
These measures are a direct response to a U.S. presidential proclamation signed on December 16, which expanded travel restrictions to include nationals from several countries, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
The U.S. policy, effective January 1, 2026, fully suspends immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance for citizens of seven newly added nations: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria. This brings the total number of countries facing full or partial restrictions to approximately 39.
In separate statements, Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that, effective immediately, it would apply “the same conditions and requirements” to U.S. nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens by the United States.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, echoed this sentiment, stating the country would “immediately apply equivalent visa measures” to Americans while reaffirming a commitment to mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Neighboring Niger, also added to the U.S. full-restriction list, took similar action earlier. State media announced that Niger would halt visa issuance to U.S. citizens, though a formal foreign ministry statement has not yet been released.
While standard diplomatic and official visa exemptions are expected to apply in accordance with international norms, specific details regarding humanitarian, journalistic, or international organization exemptions have not been explicitly outlined.
Regional analysts note that these reciprocal measures are likely to further strain U.S. ties with the three Sahel nations. As members of the Alliance of Sahel States, these countries have increasingly distanced themselves from Western partners amid ongoing jihadist insurgencies and shifting geopolitical alignments. These moves could impact remaining U.S. development aid, counterterrorism cooperation, and humanitarian operations in a region plagued by instability.
Officials in Mali and Burkina Faso indicated their restrictions would remain in place until the U.S. revises its policy, while Niger’s suspension appears indefinite pending further notice.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
