Mali and Burkina Faso made the move in response to the Trump administration's Dec. 16 expansion of travel restrictions to more than 20 countries. The policy particularly affected the African continent, with Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan also being subject to travel restrictions.‘DEPART IMMEDIATELY': STATE DEPARTMENT WARNS AMERICANS AS AL QAEDA THREATENS TO OVERRUN AFRICAN NATION
The Trump administration cited the persistence of armed attacks in both nations as part of the rationale for its decision:
"According to the Department of State, terrorist organizations continue to plan and conduct terrorist activities throughout Burkina Faso. According to the Fiscal Year 2024, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report ("Overstay Report"), Burkina Faso had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 9.16 percent and a student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa overstay rate of 22.95 percent. Additionally, Burkina Faso has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals."
Regarding its decision to include Mali on the list, it stated:
Related:
Mali: 2025-12-30 Released Moslem Criminal Illegal With Deportation Order Arrested for Stabbing Spree on Paris Metro
Mali: 2025-12-28 Outpost of the Empire: The Sixth Life of Liberated Gulyaipole
Mali: 2025-12-27 A Year of Struggle: What Remains of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' in the Middle East
Mali: 2025-12-30 Released Moslem Criminal Illegal With Deportation Order Arrested for Stabbing Spree on Paris Metro
Mali: 2025-12-28 Outpost of the Empire: The Sixth Life of Liberated Gulyaipole
Mali: 2025-12-27 A Year of Struggle: What Remains of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' in the Middle East
Related:
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-30 IS-Sahel ambushed a patrol of the Nigerian army east of Tera, Tillaberi region in western Niger
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-29 Eight JNIM militants were killed in IS-Sahel attack
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-25 Uranium stolen from Niger: A military ship blocks the port of Lomé UPDATE: Or a feint while Russia ships it by air
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-30 IS-Sahel ambushed a patrol of the Nigerian army east of Tera, Tillaberi region in western Niger
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-29 Eight JNIM militants were killed in IS-Sahel attack
Burkina Faso: 2025-12-25 Uranium stolen from Niger: A military ship blocks the port of Lomé UPDATE: Or a feint while Russia ships it by air