U.S. Discovers Reciprocity, Much to Its Dismay
The mainstream narrative framing this as novel 'African aggression' conveniently omits the foundational premise: the U.S. started it. Washington unilaterally imposed full-entry restrictions on Mali and Burkina Faso citizens, citing security concerns. Mali and Burkina Faso, in a move described by BBC as 'tit-for-tat,' responded in kind. It appears the lesson from elementary school about treating
others as you wish to be treated isn't part of U.S. foreign policy curriculum. This isn't just about travel, it's about a pattern of Western powers treating African nations as passive recipients of policy rather than sovereign entities capable of independent action. Mali and Burkina Faso, tired of being lectured while their resources are extracted and their internal politics meddled with, seem to
be saying: if our borders aren't good enough for you, yours aren't good enough for us. It’s almost as if 'rules-based international order' only applies when the U.S. is the rule-maker.