Faith Nyasuguta
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby has announced that Chad will suspend issuing visas to U.S. citizens, a direct response to the travel restrictions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. This move is rooted in diplomatic reciprocity, Deby said, emphasizing that “Chad may not have planes or billions, but we have our dignity and pride”.
Trump’s new executive order, effective June 9, bars entry to U.S. citizens from 12 countries, including Chad. The justification cited by the White House centers on concerns over weak security screening systems and failure to cooperate on deportations . Additionally, travelers from seven other countries, such as Cuba, Venezuela, Sierra Leone, and Togo, must now undergo heightened scrutiny .
The African Union promptly voiced “deep concern” about the impact of the ban on humanitarian, economic, and diplomatic ties with the U.S. In a similar pattern of dissent, Chad’s neighbor, and also banned, Republic of Congo called the move a “misunderstanding” linked to flawed intelligence assumptions .
President Deby made his announcement via social media, framing the suspension of U.S. visa issuance as a dignified, measured response to Washington’s decision . The sentiment reflects growing frustration among affected nations, with some arguing that the policy unfairly penalizes countries already contributing to global security and counter-terrorism efforts. Chad, a key partner in Sahelian anti-terror initiatives, now risks complications within its established cooperation with the U.S .
By anchoring its response in the principle of reciprocity, Chad seeks to assert its sovereignty and challenge the legitimacy of Washington’s unilateral move. Analysts say the visa freeze could disrupt academic exchanges, trade agreements, and even U.S-led security operations involving Chadian forces .
Despite the strong symbolism of the visa ban, both Chad and the U.S. appear to remain open to dialogue. Diplomatic backchannels and engagement by regional bodies like the African Union could pave the way for a resolution. However, the current standoff reflects deeper tensions over travel policy and global cooperation frameworks.
For now, U.S citizens seeking entry into Chad will face rejection until further notice, while the broader impacts on tourism, business, and security cooperation continue to unfold. Chad’s stance could inspire similar reactions across the affected nations, challenging Washington to reconsider its strategy or risk diplomatic estrangement.
In sum, Chad’s bold response to Trump’s travel ban highlights not only diplomatic tit-for-tat but also a broader clash over global policy, standards and respect. Whether this sparks negotiations or escalates into prolonged tension remains to be seen.
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