In a striking act of diplomatic reciprocity, Mali has announced new visa bond requirements for American travelers, mirroring the same measures recently imposed by Washington on Malian citizens. The move marks the latest escalation in growing tensions between the United States and several African nations over what many view as discriminatory and punitive immigration policies.

The dispute centers on a controversial US visa bond program that requires applicants from certain countries to pay a refundable deposit-ranging from $5,000 to $15,000-before entering the United States. The US Department of State claims the measure is designed to curb visa overstays, particularly among nationals of countries with higher rates of noncompliance. However, Mali’s government and other affected states have slammed the policy as unilateral, unjustified, and contrary to the principles of international cooperation.

Mali’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a strongly worded statement criticizing Washington’s decision, calling it a “unilateral violation” of a 2005 bilateral agreement that permitted long-term, multiple-entry visas between the two nations.

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

In essence, this means that US travelers wishing to visit Mali-whether for tourism, business, or official purposes-will now have to pay bonds of between $5,000 and $10,000. The measure, effective immediately, signals Bamako’s resolve to treat........

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