Trump travel ban could damage longstanding relations with African countries, leaders warn
The latest sweeping travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump could damage relations with African countries that have taken decades to build, African leaders say.
Mr. Trump announced on Wednesday night that his administration is banning all visits to the United States by citizens from 12 countries, including seven African states. He also introduced restrictions on entry by citizens from seven other countries, including three in Africa.
Trump issues travel ban for a dozen countries set to go into effect Monday
The African Union Commission, the AU's administrative branch, reacted swiftly on Thursday, voicing alarm at the Trump announcement.
It said it was '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 Commission appealed to the Trump administration to adopt a more 'consultative approach' and to engage in dialogue with the affected countries. It urged Washington to act in a 'balanced' and 'evidence-based' manner.
The travel ban, set to take effect on Monday, would ban visitors from Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Chad, Haiti, Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Myanmar, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Eritrea.
Several countries on this list – including Sudan, Somalia, Myanmar, Yemen and Libya – have suffered huge damage from armed conflicts or militia violence in recent years, with large numbers of refugees fleeing from their wars. In some cases, their official governments do not control all of their territory, making it impossible for them to comply with U.S. demands for screening and vetting of their travellers.
Trump suspends visas for foreign students seeking to attend Harvard
The policy will also increase restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Sierra Leone, Togo, Venezuela, Cuba, Laos and Turkmenistan.
Mr. Trump complained that some countries have deficient screening processes and are reluctant to take back their citizens if they exceed the time limits on their U.S. visas. 'We don't want them,' he said.
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