Niger’s decision to indefinitely bar US nationals from entering its territory marks a sharp escalation in deteriorating relations between Washington and several Sahelian states, underscoring a broader geopolitical realignment unfolding across West Africa. The move, reported on December 25 by Niger’s state-affiliated press agency ANP, is grounded in the principle of reciprocity and follows the United States’ decision to impose sweeping travel restrictions on Nigerien citizens.

According to diplomatic sources cited by ANP, Niger’s government has halted the issuance of visas to US nationals in direct response to Washington’s inclusion of Niger on a list of countries subject to expanded US travel bans. The measure is not merely bureaucratic retaliation; it signals a deliberate assertion of sovereignty by a country that increasingly views Western policies as punitive, intrusive, and politically motivated.

The US travel restrictions stem from a decree signed by President Donald Trump on December 16, which imposes a full entry ban on citizens of several countries, including five African states: Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone. The suspension applies to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories and is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Washington justified the decision by citing security concerns, including terrorist activity, kidnappings, and instability in the Sahel region. US officials also pointed to alleged visa overstays by Nigerien nationals as a contributing factor. However, critics argue that the move reflects a broader strategy of diplomatic pressure........

© Blitz