Chad Hits Back at Trump Visa Ban with Reciprocal Measures

BBC

As President Donald Trump reinstates a sweeping travel ban targeting 12 countries, including seven in Africa, Chad has swiftly responded. On Thursday, President Mahamat Idriss Deby announced that Chad will suspend issuing visas to U.S. citizens, calling the U.S. move an affront to his country’s dignity.

Trump’s renewed ban cites “deficient” screening and vetting, as well as a history of non-cooperation on deportations. The affected countries include Chad, Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The policy takes effect on Monday, with additional restrictions placed on visitors from seven other nations.

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In a pointed Facebook post, Deby declared that Chad’s response is grounded in the principle of reciprocity: “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give, but Chad has his dignity and pride.”

The new policy has sparked a range of reactions across the continent. In the Republic of Congo, officials called the ban a mistake, with government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla attributing it to a misunderstanding over an unrelated armed attack. “Congo is not a terrorist country,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s government is taking a conciliatory tone. Information Minister Chernor Bah affirmed the country’s commitment to addressing U.S. concerns and maintaining cooperation.

As these diplomatic exchanges unfold, Trump’s visa ban is likely to test U.S.-Africa relations further, with many African leaders weighing both national pride and the practical costs of strained ties with Washington.