African Union Urges U.S. to Rethink New Travel Ban Targeting African Nations

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: The African Union Commission (AUC) has voiced concern over a new travel ban announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, urging Washington to adopt a more consultative and balanced approach in its immigration policies.

The new restrictions, set to take effect on Monday, affect travelers from 12 countries, including seven African nations: Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Other countries on the list include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.

In addition to the ban, the U.S. imposed partial travel restrictions on seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

In a statement issued Thursday, the African Union Commission said the move could harm long-standing diplomatic and economic ties between Africa and the United States.

“While recognizing the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders, the African Union Commission respectfully appeals to the United States to exercise this right in a manner that is balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the longstanding partnership between the United States and Africa,” the statement read.

The Commission warned that the new restrictions could undermine educational exchange, commercial partnerships, and people-to-people ties that have taken decades to build.

“Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation,” the statement said.

The AUC called for constructive dialogue and transparent communication with the affected countries, and expressed its willingness to assist in addressing the concerns that led to the decision.

“The Commission stands ready to support efforts that promote understanding, resolve concerns, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and the United States,” it added.

President Trump defended the travel ban in a video posted to social media platform X, citing a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, as a trigger for the new measures. U.S. authorities attributed the incident, a makeshift flamethrower assault at a Jewish protest, to an undocumented immigrant.

“The recent terror attack in Boulder has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted. We don’t want them,” Trump said in the video.

The travel ban has already drawn criticism from human rights groups and foreign policy analysts, who argue it could strain relations with key partners and unfairly target certain populations.