Mali and Burkina Faso said late on Tuesday (December 30, 2025) they would ban U.S. citizens from entering their countries in retaliation for U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to ban Malian and Burkinabe citizens from entering the United States. Another statement signed by Burkina Faso's Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré cited similar reasons for the ban on American nationals entering Burkina Faso. The White House noted persistent attacks by armed groups as one of the reasons for the travel ban. Mali and Burkina Faso have struggled to contain armed groups that have spread rapidly in both countries. The juntas vowed to fight the armed groups after deposing civilian governments over the insecurity that has roiled much of the region.

Source: The Hindu December 31, 2025 05:19 UTC