U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Malian Mutineers

Washington, DC

April 3, 2012

The Department of State today imposed restrictions on travel to the United States on persons and the immediate family of persons who block Mali’s return to civilian rule and a democratically elected government, including those who actively promote Captain Amadou Sanogo and the National Committee for the Restoration of Democracy, who seized power from democratically elected President Amadou Toumani Touré on March 21, 2012. The decision to impose visa restrictions follows and supports the decision of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union to impose similar sanctions.

The United States reiterates its call on Captain Sanogo and his supporters to restore full civilian rule to Mali without delay.

Cote d'Ivoire: Travel Restrictions

Office of the Spokesman (State Department)

Washington, DC

The Secretary of State on December 21, 2010 imposed travel restrictions to the United States on members of Laurent Gbagbo’s regime, as well as other individuals who support policies or actions that undermine the democratic process and reconciliation efforts in Cote d’Ivoire.

The citizens of Cote d’Ivoire expressed their will in elections on November 28, with results which were widely declared by accredited, credible international observers to be free and fair. Gbagbo’s efforts to remain in power despite the expressed will of the Ivoirian people for Alassane Ouattara to be president threaten to compromise years of reconciliation and peace-building efforts on behalf of the Ivoirian people.