African Union Commission warns Trump against arbitrary travel restrictions on African countries

The African Union Commission has warned that the arbitrary travel restrictions by the President Donald Trump administration imposed on some African countries could strain decades-long diplomatic relations between the two sides.

Penpushing reports that the commission made this clear in a statement while reacting to the new travel ban imposed by United States of America (USA) government which affects seven African countries.

The commission emphasized that the United States of America (USA) government needs to adopt a more balanced and evidence-based approach in its decision making, stressing that the Trump led administration should take into account the long-standing partnership between the United States and African nations

Penpushing further reports that the affected African countries include; Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan, however, Nigeria was not affected.

The United States of America (USA) in same vein, imposed visa restrictions on three other African countries: Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo, as well as five non-African countries which include Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Yemen.

Penpushing also reports that Trump, on Wednesday, signed a proclamation banning the citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States of America (USA) explaining that the ban was imposed to protect the America against foreign terrorists and other security threats.

“It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes’, he said.

“More importantly, the United States must identify such aliens before their admission or entry into the United States. The United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security’, Trump added.

Penpushing reports that the African Union (AU) has expressed concern over the travel restrictions stating that the new measures could also affect people-to-people ties, educational exchanges, and commercial engagement.

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

Penpushing further reports that the commission, urged Washington to adopt a more consultative process and engage in constructive dialogue with the countries affected by the new policy

Meanwhile, some of the countries affected by the recent travel ban had been on the list of countries earlier reported to be considered for a total travel ban or visa restrictions by the America government.

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