Mali has announced that US nationals visiting the West African country will be required to post a bond of up to $10,000 (£7,500) for business and tourist visas, in response to a similar requirement the Trump administration has imposed on its citizens.
The US embassy in Mali stated the fee aims to reinforce Washington's commitment to protecting America's borders and safeguarding US national security. In a recent statement, Mali's foreign ministry asserted that the bond was imposed unilaterally and declared its intention to establish an identical visa programme for US citizens.
This policy shift occurs despite attempts to improve diplomatic relations between Mali and the United States, which have been challenged since a coup in Mali in 2021 led to Gen Assimi Goïta's ascendancy. Following the coup, Mali's government has aligned itself more closely with Russia, seeking support in countering jihadist insurgency.
US officials had visited Mali in July to discuss cooperation over counterterrorism and economic opportunities, particularly regarding Mali's mineral wealth. However, the deterioration in relations, including an expulsion of French military forces, underscores the growing geopolitical rift in the region.
Last week, Burkina Faso's military government made headlines by refusing to accept deportees from the US, after Washington ceased issuing visas in the West African nation, hinting at a broader regional shift in immigration policies.
The current climate suggests heightened tensions not only between Mali and the US but also across West Africa, as governments navigate complex relationships influenced by domestic politics and international diplomacy.
