Chad has announced the suspension of visa issuance to U.S. citizens in a retaliatory move against a travel ban originally enacted by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno made the announcement on Thursday, June 5, via a post on Facebook, directing his government to implement the measure in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
“I instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of the United States of America,” Itno wrote. “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and pride.”
Trump’s travel ban, justified on national security grounds, initially targeted 12 countries—seven of them in Africa—including Chad, Afghanistan, Congo, Yemen, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Sudan, Myanmar, Somalia, Libya, and Equatorial Guinea. It also imposed heightened visa restrictions on citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
While the policy allows for discretionary exemptions by the U.S. Secretary of State, it has faced widespread criticism for disproportionately targeting African and Muslim-majority nations.
The African Union has expressed concern over the policy, warning that it could harm diplomatic relations and hinder regional cooperation. In an official statement, the AU called on the United States to adopt a more consultative and inclusive approach with the countries affected.
