US faces backlash over new travel restrictions on Mali, Nigeria, others

4 weeks ago 18

The United States’ latest travel restriction announcement, dated December 16, 2025, has sparked a wave of reactions across Africa, as new countries, including Nigeria and Mali, and several Alliance of Sahel States (AES) members face full or partial entry restrictions.

U.S. President Donald Trump. [Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images]

The United States has expanded its travel restrictions to include several African nations, citing security concerns.
Nigeria, Mali, and other members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) now face full or partial restrictions on entry.
Africans have taken to social media to express criticism, irony, and calls for reciprocal measures.
The move highlights ongoing tensions over visa policies and international mobility for African citizens.

The move extends the original Proclamation 10949, which targeted 12 high-risk countries, to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.

These nations join the likes of Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia under full entry restrictions, which suspend visa issuance due to security concerns linked to terrorism and governance challenges.

Other nations, including Laos, Sierra Leone, and a dozen African states such as Angola, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are now under partial restrictions.

Netizens react

The announcement has drawn a mix of criticism, humour, and pragmatic reflections from Africans on social media.

Residents from South Africa, Kenya, and beyond voiced their opinions on Facebook and Twitter, highlighting the irony of the decision and the perceived double standards.

Mfana Ka Gogo from Soweto noted, “That time, Americans had free entry in Africa in and out. They treated them as tourists.”

Chene Constantine referenced President Trump’s heritage, writing, “An immigrant sending away other immigrants.”

Some called for reciprocal measures; Tutso Mosolom suggested, “They must ban themselves from coming to Africa… And when they want to travel to Africa, Africa must raise the visa price for anyone from America.”

Meanwhile, Tania Viljoen from Rustenburg offered a more measured view: “Nothing wrong with that. Just doing his job… Now let us focus on our own country's issues.”

Analysts note that these reactions reflect broader African frustration with travel restrictions perceived as one-sided, often affecting countries with limited global influence while leaving citizens of powerful nations largely unrestricted.

As Africans continue to respond online, the debate raises questions about equity in international travel policies and the broader implications of security-driven restrictions on global mobility.

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