Chad has announced it is halting visa issuance for US citizens in direct response to a new travel ban enacted by US President Donald Trump. The ban, which comes into effect on June 9, includes 12 countries, seven of which are in Africa, drawing strong criticism from the continent.
President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno condemned the move as an affront to Chad’s sovereignty and reputation. “Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and pride,” he stated in a Facebook post. Chad’s Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul expressed surprise at being listed, calling the terrorism justification baseless and dismissive of Chad’s counterterrorism efforts.
Trump defended the ban, saying it is necessary to prevent “dangerous foreign actors” from entering the US. Countries affected include Chad, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen. Additional restrictions were placed on nationals from Burundi, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela for certain visa categories.
The African Union voiced concern over the ban’s implications and urged the US to adopt a more consultative and respectful approach. Somalia responded diplomatically, pledging to work with Washington to address any security concerns. Eritrean citizens, meanwhile, expressed distress, with many saying the policy leaves them in limbo as they attempt to reunite with family in the US.
Critics argue that the policy mirrors Trump’s controversial 2017 “Muslim ban,” though the White House insists this version is based on national security assessments. The administration claims the affected countries lack reliable passport systems or have high visa overstay rates.
While visas issued before June 9 remain valid, future applications from listed countries will be blocked unless exemptions apply, including dual nationals and athletes attending global sporting events. The order is expected to face legal challenges but fulfills a key campaign pledge by Trump during his 2024 presidential run.
For Chad, the decision to retaliate is symbolic but significant—a declaration that dignity trumps diplomacy when national pride is at stake.
