Chad stopped issuing visas to US citizens on Thursday in response to a new travel ban imposed by the United States on several African countries.
The ban was announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday and affects seven African nations, including Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
The move surprised many African governments and caused concern about its impact on diplomatic and economic relations.
Chad’s president, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, made it clear that while Chad may not have large resources or advanced transportation, it values its dignity and self-respect.
This statement seemed to challenge the United States’ decision, especially since it was perceived as favoring wealthier countries.
The African Union expressed worries that the travel restrictions would damage longstanding partnerships in education, trade, and diplomacy with the US. The AU urged the US to engage in dialogue with the affected countries to find a better way forward.
The US justified the travel ban by citing a recent violent attack in Colorado, carried out by an Egyptian national, even though Egypt was not part of the banned countries.
Besides the African nations, the ban also applies to travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.
Officials from Chad and the Republic of Congo said they were taken aback by the travel restrictions, arguing that their countries have been active in fighting terrorism and do not harbour terrorists.
People in Somalia expressed anger over the ban, noting that many Somali migrants had risked a difficult journey to the US seeking better opportunities.
Some Somali residents called on the US president to reconsider the decision and allow their citizens to live and work in the United States.
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