The African Union expressed its concerns on Thursday regarding President Trump’s travel ban that affects several African countries, urging for dialogue and collaboration to address issues raised by the White House.
On Wednesday night, Trump issued an executive order implementing travel restrictions on twelve countries, which included seven from Africa. In total, the ban impacted travel from ten countries on the continent.
In a statement, the African Union Commission highlighted the importance of maintaining a long-standing partnership with the United States while acknowledging each country’s right to safeguard its borders and protect its citizens.
The committee, responsible for the union’s daily operations, expressed worries about the negative implications of the travel restrictions on commercial ties, personal interactions, educational exchanges, and overall diplomatic relations.
“We hope the US administration might explore a more consultative approach and engage in constructive dialogue with the affected nations,” the statement added.
Trump’s travel bans include countries such as Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, along with additional restrictions impacting Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
The Trump administration has defended the expanded ban, labeling it a national security measure. They cited inadequate vetting processes in the listed countries, claiming they do not present high rates of visa overstays or share vital identity and threat information.
The African Union called for open communication and collaborative efforts to tackle the underlying concerns associated with this decision.
