"The measure comes after the US added Mali to its list of African countries required to post bonds of $5,000 and $10,000. Mali has imposed visa bond requirements on United States citizens identical to those Washington placed on Malian travellers, in a tit-for-tat response to moves that its government has condemned as a violation of bilateral agreements. The Foreign Ministry in Bamako announced the reciprocal measures on Sunday."
"Mali said the US programme breaches a 2005 accord guaranteeing long-term visa access between the two nations, and vowed to apply the same financial barriers to US passport holders under the principle of reciprocity. In a statement released by its Foreign Ministry, Mali said it has always collaborated with the United States of America in the fight against irregular immigration, with respect for law and human dignity."
"Mali is among seven African countries facing the bond requirements under a year-long pilot scheme that the US State Department says targets nations with high visa overstay rates. Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania were also added to the programme alongside Mali in late October, while Gambia, Malawi and Zambia were added earlier. Travellers subject to the bonds must pay up front through a US Treasury Department portal, and can only enter and exit the US through three designated airports."
Mali enacted reciprocal visa bond requirements for United States citizens after the US required Malian nationals to post bonds of $5,000 to $10,000 beginning October 23. Mali declared the US programme breaches a 2005 accord guaranteeing long-term visa access and pledged reciprocity under that principle. Mali emphasized prior collaboration with the United States on combating irregular immigration while condemning the financial requirements as a violation of bilateral agreements. The US pilot targets countries with high visa overstay rates and affects seven African nations. Travellers must pay bonds via a US Treasury portal, enter through three designated airports, and risk forfeiture for overstays or asylum claims.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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