AU warns Trump’s travel ban threatens decades of Africa-US cooperation
AUC chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf acknowledged the US government's sovereign right to protect its borders and ensure the security of its citizens but cautioned against unilateral measures that could damage longstanding partnerships.
The African Union Commission (AUC) has raised the alarm over the recent US travel ban affecting nationals from several countries, including some on the African continent, warning that it risks undermining decades of carefully nurtured ties in education, commerce, and people-to-people exchange.
In a statement issued from its Addis Ababa headquarters, the AUC chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, acknowledged the US government's sovereign right to protect its borders and ensure the security of its citizens but cautioned against unilateral measures that could damage longstanding partnerships.
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"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 long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa," the AU said.
Negative consequences
The AUC emphasised that such travel restrictions could have far-reaching negative consequences on educational exchanges, trade, and diplomatic relations, which have been built over decades.
"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," it added.
The AU urged Washington to consider "a more consultative approach" and to engage in constructive dialogue with the affected countries.
Address underlying issues
It also called for transparency in communication and "collaborative efforts to address any underlying issues that may have informed this decision."
The US issued an order prohibiting people from Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan - as well as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran and Yemen - from entering the US.
There will also be travel restrictions on nationals of Burundi, Sierra Leone, Togo, Cuba, Laos, Turkmenistan and Venezuela - they will no longer be able to travel to the US on certain visas.
"We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm," Trump said in a video posted on X.
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