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In a direct tit-for-tat move, Mali has announced it will impose hefty bond requirements on US citizens seeking to enter the country. This action comes as a reciprocal response to a new US program that requires Malian nationals to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for their visas. Mali’s government condemned the original US policy, stating it violates a bilateral agreement from 2005. Recently, the Trump administration has been pressuring countries to accept deportees, with consequences for those who refuse. Meanwhile, critics argue that the costly bonds—added to standard visa fees—will discourage travel and damage tourism ties ahead of global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Aljazeera