Chad has suspended the issuance of visas to United States citizens in direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban targeting several African nations.
The move, announced Thursday, June 6, follows Trump’s executive order banning travellers from 12 countries, including seven African nations: Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno confirmed the retaliatory measure in a post on his official Facebook page.
“I instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of the United States of America,” Mr Deby said.
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Making a pointed comparison to Qatar’s reported $400 million plane gift to Mr Trump, the Chadian leader added, “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride.”
The African Union also weighed in, warning that the US travel ban could undermine decades of partnership.
In a statement, the AU said the ban would harm “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations” and urged Washington to engage in “constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”
In addition to the African countries, Trump’s order also restricts entry to the US from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran and Yemen.