AU Cautions Against US Travel Ban on Six African Countries, Urges Dialogue and Cooperation
The African Union has voiced concern over the U.S. travel ban affecting six African nations, warning it could strain long-standing diplomatic ties.
While respecting America’s right to secure its borders, the AU urged for fairness, dialogue, and deeper international cooperation.
The African Union Commission has expressed strong reservations over the recent travel ban imposed by the United States on several countries, including six African nations. The controversial policy, signed into effect earlier this week by President Donald Trump, restricts nearly all forms of travel from 12 countries, sparking diplomatic ripples across affected regions.
Among the African countries hit by the new restrictions are Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. In addition to these six, the ban also targets Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen. The executive order drastically limits visa issuance, effectively curtailing travel opportunities for millions of citizens from these nations.
Moreover, a partial ban has been issued for seven additional countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Citizens from these nations will only be eligible for select visa types, primarily those tied to temporary employment. This restriction further tightens an already rigid global immigration landscape.
Reacting to the policy, the African Union (AU) acknowledged that while it respects the sovereign right of any country to enforce border security and protect its citizens, such decisions must be rooted in fairness and mutual respect. According to the AU Commission, unilateral decisions of this magnitude could jeopardize the long-standing diplomatic and cultural relations between the African continent and the United States.
“The Commission remains concerned 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,” the AU said in its official statement.
The Commission further emphasized that Africa and the United States share important mutual interests including promoting global peace, economic prosperity, and multilateral cooperation. Policies that undermine these shared goals, the AU warned, could erode trust and weaken collaborative progress on global challenges like counterterrorism, climate change, and economic development.
In a call for diplomacy, the AU urged the U.S. administration to consider a more inclusive and consultative approach when implementing such sweeping policies.
“The African Union Commission respectfully calls upon the U.S. Administration to consider adopting a more consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned,” the statement read.
The Commission also appealed for transparency and collaborative problem-solving, urging the United States to openly communicate the rationale behind the ban and, where appropriate, partner with affected nations to resolve any security or administrative concerns.
Concluding its statement, the AU reaffirmed its commitment to working with global partners, including the United States, to foster understanding and cooperation. It expressed readiness to facilitate dialogue aimed at restoring trust and ensuring that future immigration and foreign policy decisions reflect a balanced approach to security, diplomacy, and human development.
As diplomatic conversations unfold, the African Union has made it clear that it seeks a respectful and reciprocal relationship with the United States one that honors decades of progress and looks toward a future of mutual growth and global solidarity.
