Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – June 6, 2025 – A recent travel ban imposed by the United States on nationals from 12 countries, including seven African nations, has sparked widespread concern and strong reactions across the continent. The African Union (AU) has voiced its profound concern, urging the US to adopt a more consultative approach and engage in constructive dialogue with the affected countries.
US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday, effective June 9, restricting travel for foreign nationals from Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The stated reason for the ban is to counter the threat of terrorist attacks and safeguard public safety, mirroring a contentious policy from his first term.
The African Union Commission (AUC) acknowledged the sovereign right of nations to protect their borders but emphasized that such measures should be balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the US and Africa. In a statement, the AUC expressed worry about the “potential negative impact of such measures on people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations that have been carefully nurtured over decades.”
Individual African nations affected have also reacted strongly. Chad, for instance, swiftly announced a reciprocal suspension of visa issuance for US citizens. Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul expressed the Chadian government’s surprise and dismay, stating that the terrorism-related reason “completely disregards Chad’s commitment and results in this area.” Similarly, the Republic of Congo’s government spokesman, Thierry Moungalla, conveyed a sense of misunderstanding, asserting that “Congo is not a terrorist country, does not harbour any terrorists, is not known to have a terrorist inclination.” In Somalia, while the government had no immediate response, residents expressed anger and sadness, highlighting that Somali immigrants often seek a better life and contribute positively.
The UN’s human rights chief also weighed in, stating that the “broad and sweeping nature of the new travel ban raises concerns from the perspective of international law,” particularly regarding non-discrimination and the necessity and proportionality of the measures. The ban’s implementation is expected to have far-reaching implications for diplomatic relations and human connections between the US and the affected African nations.
