Chad has announced a suspension of visa issuance for United States citizens in direct response to a new U.S. travel restriction targeting several African countries.
The move comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a decree barring citizens from 12 countries — including seven African nations — from entering the United States. The African nations listed are Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
Reacting to the decision, Chad’s transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno emphasized national pride in a message posted to his official Facebook page.
“Chad has neither planes to offer, nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,” he wrote, in what appeared to be a veiled critique of Washington’s preferential treatment of wealthier allies.
The African Union criticized the policy in a statement, warning that it could damage longstanding ties with the U.S. across various domains.
The AU noted the measure could impact “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations” built over decades. It urged Washington to embrace a “consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”
Trump defended the policy, citing a recent attack in Colorado allegedly committed by an Egyptian national. Egypt, however, was not included in the travel restrictions.
In addition to the African countries, the U.S. also restricted entry from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.
Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul said the government was baffled by the decision and its stated rationale.
“We were surprised by this announcement and even more by the terrorism-related reason (which) completely disregards Chad’s commitment and results in this area,” he told AFP.
Officials from the Republic of Congo also rejected the designation, with government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla addressing reporters.
“We think it’s a misunderstanding,” he said.“Congo is not a terrorist country, does not harbour any terrorists, is not known to have a terrorist inclination.”
In Somalia, while the federal government had yet to formally respond, the policy drew criticism on the streets of Mogadishu.
“I totally disagree with the president of the United States’ decision,” said Salad Abdullahi Mohamed, a resident speaking to AFP.“Somali immigrants reached there after a long hazardous trip to get a better life.”
Another resident, Ali Abdullahi Ali, voiced a similar sentiment.
“Somali migrants are just trying to make a better living and help their parents,” he said.“I would call on the president to make this decision null and void and also give necessary documents to stay and continue living and working there.”
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