Chad hits back at U.S. travel ban, suspends visas for American citizens

Business Insider

05-06-2025

The government of Chad has announced the suspension of all visa issuance to American citizens, in a retaliatory move against the United States' decision to bar Chadian nationals from entering the country.
The government of Chad has suspended visa issuance for American citizens in response to the U.S.' travel restrictions on Chadian nationals.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno called the U.S.' travel ban unjust and declared the suspension a matter of national pride and reciprocity.
The African Union criticized the U.S. travel ban, and Chad's response may inspire similar actions from other affected nations.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno described U.S. President Donald Trump's travel ban as unjust and discriminatory, stating that Chad was compelled to respond in kind by introducing reciprocal visa restrictions on U.S. citizens.
He framed the move as one of 'reciprocity' and a matter of national pride.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page (in French), President Déby declared: ' I instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of the United States of America.'
'Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride.'
The suspension reflects mounting frustration in the Central African nation over what it perceives as an arbitrary policy that unfairly targets Chadian citizens.
While the practical impact on U.S. travelers may be limited, the symbolic weight of the decision signals a broader assertion of sovereignty and a demand for mutual respect in bilateral relations.
US travel ban hits seven African nations
The recent U.S. travel ban targets citizens from 12 countries, seven of them African, sparking criticism over its fairness and perceived political motivations.
Among the African nations affected are Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia.
In addition, a partial ban has been imposed on citizens from another group of countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—limiting entry under specific visa categories, particularly those related to temporary employment.
Chad's swift and unequivocal response stands out as one of the most direct diplomatic pushbacks from the African continent.
The country's suspension of visa issuance to American citizens signals rising frustration and could strain relations with Washington, especially in the area of regional counterterrorism cooperation, where Chad plays a pivotal role.
While analysts note that the suspension is unlikely to significantly disrupt travel—given the relatively low number of U.S. visitors to Chad, the symbolic weight of the move is considerable.
The African Union has also issued a formal statement rejecting President Donald Trump's decision to impose such sweeping restrictions on African countries.