Mali’s government has announced that U.S. visa applicants will now be required to post a bond of up to $10,000, mirroring a new U.S. visa policy set to take effect on October 23.
The decision, issued by Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, comes in direct response to the U.S. government’s recent move to impose the same bond requirement on Malian nationals. In a statement, Mali described its action as being “in accordance with the principle of reciprocity,” vowing to apply identical conditions and requirements to U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Embassy in Bamako had earlier explained the rationale for its decision, citing high visa overstay rates, screening and vetting concerns, and broader foreign policy considerations.
Mali’s tit-for-tat response reflects rising diplomatic tensions amid broader shifts in the country’s geopolitical alliances. Since a military coup in 2021, Mali’s junta has distanced itself from traditional Western allies like France, expelling French forces and deepening military cooperation with Russia.
Despite these changes, Mali continues to face a deteriorating security situation. Attacks by extremist groups, including affiliates of al-Qaida and ISIS, have surged in recent months.
In a related development, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) — an al-Qaida-linked group — announced in early September a ban on fuel imports from neighboring countries. Analysts warn the move could further destabilize Mali’s fragile economy and undermine the military junta’s grip on power.
Mali is part of a broader regional crisis, along with neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger, where military-led governments continue to battle long-standing insurgencies.
