Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby announced on Thursday, that the country is suspending visas for U.S. citizens in direct response to a new travel ban signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The order, effective Monday, bars nationals from 12 countries, including Chad, from entering the United States due to alleged security concerns.
In a Facebook post, President Déby said the move was based on “principles of reciprocity,” asserting, “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and pride.”
Trump’s visa ban targets 12 nations, hits Africa hardest
Trump’s latest executive order revives a controversial immigration policy from his first term. The new list includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Yemen, and five African countries: Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
Nationals from these countries are now banned from travelling to the U.S., with additional restrictions placed on citizens of seven others, including Sierra Leone, Togo, and Venezuela.
According to Trump, the ban targets nations with “deficient” security screening processes and those that “refuse to take back” citizens who overstay U.S. visas. “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” he said in a video.
African leaders are reacting with frustration. Seven of the 12 countries on the outright ban list are in Africa, prompting critics to accuse the U.S. of applying double standards in its foreign policy and immigration enforcement.
Chad retaliates swiftly with reciprocal visa suspension
President Déby’s response was clear and swift. Citing national dignity, he ordered a halt on U.S. visa issuance, framing it as a matter of principle. His message referenced a $400 million luxury plane recently gifted by Qatar to Chad, contrasting it with the country's rejection of unequal treatment by foreign powers.
This is not the first time Chad has been the target of a U.S. travel ban. In 2017, the country was also listed under Trump's original “Muslim ban,” which was widely criticised and later modified. That move, too, sparked diplomatic friction between N'Djamena and Washington.
African leaders call for dialogue
Other affected nations are pushing for diplomacy rather than retaliation. In Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla called the inclusion of his country a “misunderstanding,” suggesting the U.S. may have confused Congolese nationals with attackers in an unrelated incident.
“Obviously, Congo is not a terrorist country,” he stated, adding that the government would reach out to U.S. officials for clarification.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone’s Information Minister Chernor Bah said his country is committed to working with the U.S. to resolve the issue. “We will work with U.S. authorities to ensure progress,” Bah said.
As tensions simmer, the visa ban and Chad’s retaliation have ignited debate over immigration fairness, national sovereignty, and the global perception of U.S. foreign policy—especially in Africa