African countries respond to Trump’s travel bans with ‘reciprocity’ aimed at U.S. citizens

By Ivory Phillips

JA Contributing Editor

As of January 1, 2026, citizens from six African countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria – along with Laos in Southeastern Asia, are banned by Donald Trump through one of his many executive orders. The ban applies to students, professionals, workers, and tourists as well as to family members of government officials. It was a blanket travel ban, supposedly based on security concerns. Several observant and outspoken African leaders immediately saw the move as an insult to, if not an indictment of, all citizens in their respective countries. 

Rather than simply accepting the bans, however, the rulers in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad, which had been affected by a previous ban, used the diplomatic concept of “reciprocity” to announce bans against U.S. citizens and businesspersons desiring to visit their countries. Whether by written or verbal communication, each leader had his ban mirror for American travelers what Trump’s ban had stated for their travelers.

The most obvious consequence of the bans is that their will be less of a presence of visitors on each side. Experts have suggested that this will mean a decline in investments in and export of resources from those African countries. They indicate that there will be fewer students and professionals coming from those African countries and less direct assistance coming to them. Finally, experts on the diplomatic front state that America will have less influence in the area. Furthermore, these foreign affairs experts indicate that the influence of Chinese and Russian officials and businesspersons will increase. For certain, the experts will continue to closely monitor the phenomenon.

The action taken by the leaders of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, and Niger marks the first time in recorded history that so-called Third World countries have so boldly responded to such an American travel restriction. Because that is the case, questions have arisen that only time and experiences can answer. No one knows whether the African countries which have taken their stand will be able to withstand the pressure that will be brought to bear upon them. No one knows whether or not the U.S.A. will experience enough of a loss that the administration will drop or modify its ban. Nobody knows if or when other African countries may decide to respond to Trump’s ban with the same reciprocity as did the four pioneers already referenced.

This is a story that bears watching because of its implications not just on the American economy or the development of Africa. It bears watching because it could be creating a new world order. Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré, Chad’s Mahamat Déby, Mali’s Assimi Goïta, and Niger’s Abdourahamane Tchiani may have opened the door to a whole new world.