Mali and Burkina Faso have announced reciprocal travel restrictions on US citizens after both countries were placed under a sweeping US travel ban imposed by the Trump administration.
Both West African states were recently added to the list of countries facing full entry bans under an expanded policy introduced by US President Donald Trump.
In separate statements, they said American nationals would now face the same restrictions.
Burkina Faso’s Foreign Affairs Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré said the decision was taken on the basis of reciprocity, while Mali’s foreign ministry stressed the need for mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Mali also said it regretted the US decision, noting that it had been taken without prior consultation.
The move follows reports by Niger’s state news agency that the country has imposed a similar ban on US citizens, though Niger’s foreign ministry has not issued an official statement.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are all governed by military juntas that took power in coups.
The three countries have since formed their own regional bloc and shifted closer to Russia after ties with other West African states and Western countries deteriorated.
Earlier this month, the White House announced full-entry restrictions on nationals from Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, along with South Sudan, Syria and Palestinian authority passport holders.
The measures are due to take effect on January 1 and were described by the administration as necessary to protect US (United States) security.
The U.S also moved Laos and Sierra Leone from partial restrictions to the full ban list and imposed limited restrictions on 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
According to the White House, the measures will remain in place until affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in identity management, information-sharing and cooperation with US immigration authorities.
The restrictions include several exemptions and will not apply to lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats or athletes attending major sporting events.
Officials said waivers may also be issued on a case-by-case basis when travel is deemed to be in the national interest.