Burkina Faso has closed its borders to U.S. citizens, including dual nationals. This decision comes as a direct response to the outrageous decision by President Donald Trump to impose new visa restrictions. This action follows the imposition of Trump’s expanded travel ban on Burkina Faso, like many other countries, on December 16th. The U.S. government cited lack of evidence as the primary justification for the ban. They say it stops them from accurately understanding the risk that foreign nationals may pose.
The dynamic quickly intensified after the November 26 event, where two national guard members were shot near Washington D.C. That temporary ban led to an unprecedented wave of travel restrictions from more than 70 countries. One such nation is Burkina Faso, recently taken over by military rule and fighting back against the spread of armed groups across its territory.
Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister, declared the move to prohibit U.S. nationals. He further articulated how this action was a small part of a larger response to perceived injustices perpetrated through U.S. policies. The country has recently joined with Mali and Niger in a breakaway association of juntas. This move constitutes a drastic change in the country’s diplomatic posture towards the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
“In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation informs the national and international community that, with immediate effect, the Government of the Republic of Mali will apply the same conditions and requirements to U.S. nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens,” noted a statement from the Malian ministry of foreign affairs.
The U.S. government has repeatedly justified its actions on national security grounds, insisting that extraordinary steps are necessary to keep its people safe. A spokesperson further stressed the need to keep out foreign nationals whose backgrounds we cannot fully vet. This piece of legislation goes a long way towards protecting the United States against such dangers. It is the President’s duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people.
These responses from Burkina Faso and Mali may signal an increasing rift between these countries and the United States, reflecting similar tensions over U.S. immigration policies. The retaliatory measures taken by these countries reflect their discontent with the U.S. stance and suggest a potential shift in regional alliances and foreign relations moving forward.