The African Union (AU) has expressed significant concern regarding the potential consequences of a new travel ban imposed by the United States on seven African nations, according to a statement released by the continental body on Thursday.

In its official response, the AU warned that the restrictive measures would negatively impact people-to-people connections, educational exchanges, commercial engagements, and broader diplomatic relations that African countries have built with the United States over decades.

Details of the Travel Ban

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Wednesday, implementing a comprehensive travel ban targeting 12 countries globally. The African nations affected include Somalia, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, and Sudan. Other countries on the list are Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, and Iran.

Additionally, the presidential order imposed partial restrictions on travelers from seven other countries, including three African nations: Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The remaining countries facing partial bans are Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The order does make provisions for certain temporary work visas from these countries.

Justification and Response

President Trump, who returned to office on January 20 for his second term, cited a flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado by an Egyptian man as the trigger for the ban, despite Egypt not being included in the list of restricted countries.

In response to these measures, the African Union has appealed to the U.S. government to adopt a more consultative approach and engage in constructive dialogue with the affected countries, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the diplomatic bridges built over many years.

The AU's statement reflects growing concern across the continent about the implications of such restrictive policies on international relations, particularly as many African nations seek to strengthen their global partnerships and economic ties.

As this situation develops, BenriNews will continue to monitor reactions from the affected countries and potential diplomatic responses to the U.S. travel restrictions.