In a significant diplomatic escalation, Mali has announced that US nationals visiting the West African country will be required to post a bond of up to $10,000 for business and tourist visas. This decision comes as a direct response to similar visa requirements imposed by the Trump administration on Malian citizens. The US embassy in Mali stated that the fee was introduced to reinforce Washington’s ‘commitment to protecting America’s borders and safeguarding US national security.’ Mali’s foreign ministry, however, described the US move as unilateral and justified its decision to ‘establish an identical visa programme’ for US citizens. This visa policy shift occurs despite recent efforts to improve diplomatic relations between the two countries. In July, US officials visited Mali to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and economic partnerships, including potential access to Mali’s gold and lithium reserves. Relations between the two nations have been strained since a 2021 coup in Mali brought General Assimi Goïta to power. Goïta pivoted Mali towards Russia to combat a growing jihadist insurgency, expelling French troops and bringing in mercenaries from Russia’s Wagner group, which has since been replaced by Africa Corps. The situation further deteriorated last week when Burkina Faso’s military government refused to accept deportees from the US, leading Washington to suspend visa issuances in the West African nation. Burkina Faso’s foreign affairs minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, questioned whether the embassy’s decision was ‘blackmail’ after rejecting a US proposal to take in migrants from third countries. The Trump administration has increasingly turned to African countries as destinations for deporting migrants as part of its broader crackdown on immigration.