Alliance of Sahel States (AES) nations – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – three West Africa nations under military regime, have retaliated to the United States’ visa ban slammed on 39 nations, including nations of the Sahel Alliance. In separate statements, the three nations have imposed full visa ban on U.S citizens. AES was formed in July 2024 by the junta leaders of these three nations.

On New Year’s Day [Tuesday 1st January 2026], Mali and Burkina Faso put out statements in reaction to the U.S. President Donald Trump visa ban proclamation issued in December 2025 which the White House said was made on the grounds of “national security”.

“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 US nationals as those imposed on Malian citizens,” Al Jazeera quoted the Mali’s foreign ministry to have said in a statement.

Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore, the foreign minister of Burkina Faso, also confirmed same visa ban action on U.S citizens.

On Friday 2nd January 2026, Republic of Niger, also imposed full visa ban on U.S citizens.  

Before the AES nations’ retaliation, the African nation of Chad was the first to retaliate against an earlier U.S visa ban issued on 4th June 2025. 

“I have instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visa to U.S. citizens. Chad has no plans to offer, no billions of dollars of give but Chad has its integrity and pride,” the news agency Reuters quoted Chad’s President General Idriss Deby in a June 5th 2025 publication.