Reciprocity: Four African countries ban American citizens over US visa restriction

US Visa

Mali and Burkina Faso have restricted United States citizens from entering their countries following President Donald Trump’s visa restrictions.

The two countries, in separate statements by their foreign ministers made the announcements.

With these, the number of African countries reciprocating the US travel ban has climbed to four.

On June 6, 2025, Chad suspended the issuance of visas to American citizens as a reciprocal move to earlier US visa restrictions affecting Chadians.

Chadian President Mahamat Deby in a statement via social media said the suspension was effected in “accordance with the principles of reciprocity.”

Deby emphasised that the action was about national pride and dignity.

Also, on December 25, 2025, Niger halted the issuance of visas to US citizens and barred nationals from entering the country.

An official statement from Niger said it had “completely and indefinitely suspended the issuance of all visas to citizens of the United States of America and has prohibited the entry of US nationals into the territory of Niger.”

In a statement on Tuesday, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Traore, said, “In response to the recent measures taken by the United States restricting entry for Burkinabe citizens, the Government of Burkina Faso is applying equivalent visa measures on United States nationals.”

Mali’s official statement affirmed that the measure matched the US decision.

It stated, “In accordance with the principle of reciprocity and with immediate effect, the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements to American nationals as those imposed by the American authorities on Malian citizens entering the United States of America.”