Latest news with #Africa-US
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
African Union hits back at Trump over U.S. travel ban, calls for dialogue
The African Union has strongly condemned the Trump administration's recent expansion of its travel ban, which now includes seven African countries, calling the move discriminatory and urging Washington to adopt a more consultative and respectful approach. The African Union condemned the U.S. administration's expanded travel ban as discriminatory and urged a more respectful approach. The new ban affects nationals from 12 countries, including seven African nations, and imposes partial restrictions on individuals from seven other countries. The AU emphasized the potential harm to Africa-US relations, especially in the areas of education, commerce, and diplomacy. The African Union has criticized the new executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this week, which blocks nearly all travel to the United States for nationals of 12 countries—including Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia. In addition, a partial ban was imposed on citizens from seven other nations—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela— restricting entry to certain visa categories, such as those for temporary employment. Framed as part of a broader immigration and national security policy, the expanded travel ban has drawn widespread international criticism, with many raising concerns over its fairness, lack of transparency, and disproportionate impact on African and developing countries. AU opposes ban, calls for more engagement The African Union has described the travel ban as a blow to Africa-US diplomatic ties and emphasized the need for mutual respect. While acknowledging nations' sovereign rights to protect their borders, the AU stressed that such actions should be balanced and evidence-based. The Commission expressed concern about the potential negative impact on people-to-people ties, education, commerce, and diplomatic relations. '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. Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation, ' " 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." it noted. President Trump stated that the list of affected countries could be revised if " material improvements" are made, and that additional nations may be added in the future as new threats emerge globally. The newly expanded ban is set to take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. EDT (04:01 GMT), allowing a brief window for implementation, unlike the abrupt rollout of the 2017 ban that caused significant disruption at airports across the United States.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
African Union his back at Trump over U.S. travel ban, calls for dialogue
The African Union has strongly condemned the Trump administration's recent expansion of its travel ban, which now includes seven African countries, calling the move discriminatory and urging Washington to adopt a more consultative and respectful approach. The African Union condemned the U.S. administration's expanded travel ban as discriminatory and urged a more respectful approach. The new ban affects nationals from 12 countries, including seven African nations, and imposes partial restrictions on individuals from seven other countries. The AU emphasized the potential harm to Africa-US relations, especially in the areas of education, commerce, and diplomacy. The African Union has criticized the new executive order signed by President Donald Trump earlier this week, which blocks nearly all travel to the United States for nationals of 12 countries—including Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, and Somalia. In addition, a partial ban was imposed on citizens from seven other nations—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela— restricting entry to certain visa categories, such as those for temporary employment. Framed as part of a broader immigration and national security policy, the expanded travel ban has drawn widespread international criticism, with many raising concerns over its fairness, lack of transparency, and disproportionate impact on African and developing countries. AU opposes ban, calls for more engagement The African Union has described the travel ban as a blow to Africa-US diplomatic ties and emphasized the need for mutual respect. While acknowledging nations' sovereign rights to protect their borders, the AU stressed that such actions should be balanced and evidence-based. The Commission expressed concern about the potential negative impact on people-to-people ties, education, commerce, and diplomatic relations. '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. Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation, ' " 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." it noted. President Trump stated that the list of affected countries could be revised if " material improvements" are made, and that additional nations may be added in the future as new threats emerge globally. The newly expanded ban is set to take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. EDT (04:01 GMT), allowing a brief window for implementation, unlike the abrupt rollout of the 2017 ban that caused significant disruption at airports across the United States.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Ramaphosa-Trump White House meeting: Africa holds its breath
Dr Gideon Chitanga says the outcome of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Washington visit will have a bearing on Africa-US relations. Image: Supplied/GCIS As the clock ticks towards the make-or-break meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and United States President Donald Trump, an international relations expert says the African continent is watching closely, as the interaction might set the tone for US-Africa relations. In an interview with IOL, Dr Gideon Chitanga said the engagement, which set down for Wednesday at the Oval Office of the White House, will carry significance for the continent. 'The moment of the meeting, and its context - thinking back to the past five months, is very crucial because South Africa is a very significant player in the continent and probably the most active African country in multilateral context, representing the African voice. 'The power play that Trump has projected is quite telling, in the sense of the manner that he conducts US foreign policy under his administration. The retreat to bilateralism in contrast to multilateralism has also been a very significant feature of the current US administration. For Africa, I think Ramaphosa and South Africa are navigating a very significant, historical moment. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 'The outcome of this bilateral engagement, I think, will be watched by many African leaders including those who believe that a multilateral continental approach would be significant,' he added. Chitanga said when Ramaphosa and Trump speak about the G20, it will become clear how Africa seeks to engage with Africa. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Earlier, IOL reported that one of South Africa's richest men, renowned businessman Johann Rupert and golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen are reportedly part of the high-level South African delegation led by Ramaphosa. According to media reports, Ramaphosa has included the golfers in his arsenal, seeking to appeal to Trump who loves the sport. Speculation has been rife over the audience Ramaphosa will receive from Trump, following the dressing down given to visiting Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in February. IOL has previously reported that since his inauguration, Trump has cut aid to South Africa, and has offered South African Afrikaner an opportunity to relocate to the US as refugees. So far, the first batch of 49 Afrikaners has arrived in the US. US President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to cut funding to South Africa over the government's land expropriation policy and resettle white farmers, insisting that their land is being expropriated. IOL News
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congo Courts Trump for Strategic Minerals Tie-Up as War Looms
(Bloomberg) -- The Democratic Republic of Congo has offered the US exclusive access to critical minerals and infrastructure projects in exchange for security assistance as it battles a rebellion backed by neighboring Rwanda. How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold Remembering the Landscape Architect Who Embraced the City Hong Kong Joins Global Stadium Race With New $4 Billion Sports Park US Tent Facility is Holding Migrant Families Longer Than Recommended California School District Ravaged by Fires Cuts 151 Jobs In a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Congo asked for an urgent meeting between Presidents Felix Tshisekedi and Donald Trump to discuss a pact that would give American companies access to some of the most coveted minerals for the energy transition. 'As the world's largest supplier of cobalt and a major producer of lithium, tantalum and uranium, the DRC's resources are integral to US industrial competitiveness and national security,' an Africa-US business group lobbying on Congo's behalf said in the letter. A partnership 'presents a unique opportunity for the United States to establish a reliable and exclusive supply chain.' The invitation to exploit Congo's vast resources shows Tshisekedi has become increasingly desperate in his fight against Rwanda, which supports a rebel group that's threatened to overthrow his government and seized a wide swath of the country's mineral-rich east. The Trump administration is 'open to discussing partnerships in this sector,' the US State Department said in an email. 'Partnerships with US companies will strengthen both US and DRC economies.' But any deal is likely a long way off. Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, struggled to interest US firms in Congo's minerals amid concerns about corruption, environmental degradation and labor issues. The US has also been reluctant to assist Congo's military, which has been accused of human-rights abuses. Tricky Negotiations 'For the DRC, this would likely involve lengthy, tricky renegotiations of mining contracts, while it is difficult to see the Trump administration being able to mobilize US investors,' said Joshua Walker, program director for the Congo Research Group at New York University's Center on International Cooperation. 'And it is still unclear whether the new administration will commit significant resources to ending Rwandan aggression in the DRC.' The letter was one of several sent to senior US officials last month, offering a Congolese deal similar to the Trump administration's proposed minerals-for-security arrangements with Ukraine, which fell apart last week. QuickTake Explainer: Why Trump's Ukraine Minerals Deal Is Not an Easy Win Congo's mining industry, which is also the world's second-biggest source of copper, is dominated by Chinese companies. A tie-up with the US would allow Tshisekedi to 'shift away from China's dominant influence and strengthen economic ties with the West,' the lobby group said. The letter offers US companies operational control and 'exclusive extraction and export rights.' It also proposes involvement in a planned deep-water port on Congo's Atlantic coast and the establishment of a joint strategic mineral stockpile. In exchange, the US would provide training and equipment for Congo's armed forces as well as direct security assistance. It would have access to military bases 'to protect strategic resources.' The letter, disclosed on the Foreign Agents Registration Act website, was sent by lobbyist Aaron Poynton of the Africa-USA Business Council on behalf of Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, chair of the Congolese Senate's Committee on Defense, Security and Border Protection. Similar letters were also addressed to the heads of the House and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, Republican Senator Ted Cruz, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Republican Representative Rob Wittman, who chairs the House Critical Minerals Policy Working Group. Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? The Mysterious Billionaire Behind the World's Most Popular Vapes Snack Makers Are Removing Fake Colors From Processed Foods Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole The US Is Withdrawing From Global Health at a Dangerous Time ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
