African state retaliates to US

Mali has accused Washington of violating decades-old agreement that allowed long-term and multiple-entry visas between the two countries

Mali has imposed visa bond requirements on US citizens in retaliation for Washington’s decision to crack down on nationals from the West African country.

The US has demanded that all Malian business or tourist visa applicants post bonds of between $5,000 and $10,000 starting October 23.

In a statement on Sunday, Mali’s Foreign Ministry criticized the “unilateral decision” and said it violates a 2005 bilateral agreement that allowed long-term, multiple-entry visas between the two countries.

“In application of the principle of reciprocity, Mali has decided to introduce an identical visa program, imposing on American nationals the same conditions and requirements as those applied to Malian citizens,” the ministry stated.

Mali is one of five African countries the US Department of State listed last Wednesday for a year-long pilot bond program, alongside Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, and The Gambia. The Department of State says the scheme is meant to curb high overstay rates.

READ MORE: US slaps $15,000 visa bond on two African states

Since August, Zambian and Malawian passport holders have been required to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for their US visas.

Affected travelers from the seven countries must pay upfront through a US Treasury Department portal and may enter or exit the US only through three designated airports.

According to the State Department, the full amount will be refunded to applicants who comply with all visa conditions, including departure before the authorized date and adherence to the bond terms.

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The visa bond is the latest in a series of hardline immigration measures implemented by US President Donald Trump since his return to the White House in January. The Trump administration has imposed entry bans on citizens of more than a dozen countries, including Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, citing national security concerns and “unacceptable” visa overstays.

Last Friday, the US Embassy in Burkina Faso announced it had suspended all visa services after the African state rejected demands to accept third-country deportees.

READ MORE: African state reciprocates US visa ban

On Sunday, Mali said it “has always cooperated with the United States of America in combating irregular migration, in full respect of law and human dignity.”