AU expresses concern over influence of Trump’s journey ban, says measure impacts US-Africa diplomatic relations
The African Union has mentioned it’s involved concerning the penalties of a brand new journey ban imposed by the US on seven nations on the continent.
This was contained in a press release posted on the organisation’s web site on Thursday
In accordance with the AU, the US determination ought to have been taken “in a fashion that’s balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the US and Africa.”
The assertion went additional to state, “The Fee stays involved concerning the potential unfavourable influence of such measures on people-to-people ties, instructional trade, industrial engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations which were rigorously nurtured over many years. Africa and the US share mutual pursuits in selling peace, prosperity, and international cooperation.”
The AU additionally appealed to the U.S. to think about adopting a extra consultative method and to have interaction in constructive dialogue with the international locations involved. “The Fee appeals for clear communication, and the place vital, collaborative efforts to handle any underlying points that will have knowledgeable this determination,” the assertion mentioned.
The Fee mentioned it stands able to help efforts that promote understanding, resolve considerations, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and the US.
Again story
U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a journey restriction coverage imposing a ban on residents of 12 international locations from getting into the US.
Along with this, guests from seven different nations will face heightened entry restrictions.
The brand new measures are to stop the sudden airport disruptions witnessed throughout the same 2017 ban.
In an official White Home assertion, Trump laid out the explanations for the brand new journey ban, pointing to the exploitation of the U.S. visa system by some international locations.
“Many of those international locations have additionally taken benefit of the US of their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to just accept again their detachable nationals.
“As President, I need to act to guard the nationwide safety and nationwide curiosity of the US and its individuals,” he said
He additionally expressed openness to working with international locations prepared to enhance safety cooperation.
“I stay dedicated to participating with these international locations prepared to cooperate to enhance information-sharing and identity-management procedures, and to handle each terrorism-related and public-safety dangers,” he mentioned.
The 12 international locations whose residents are banned outright embody:
- Afghanistan: Managed by the Taliban (a delegated terrorist group), Afghanistan lacks a dependable central authority for passports and vetting. It has excessive visa overstay charges — practically 10% for vacationers and over 29% for college students and trade guests.
- Burma (Myanmar): Burma exhibits very excessive visa overstay charges (27% for vacationers, over 42% for college students) and has traditionally not cooperated with the U.S. on accepting again detachable nationals.
- Chad: Chad has one of many highest overstay charges, with practically 50% for vacationers and over 55% for college students, exhibiting disregard for U.S. immigration legal guidelines.
- Republic of the Congo: Overstay charges are additionally excessive right here — practically 30% for vacationers and 35% for college students.
- Equatorial Guinea: Notable for very excessive pupil visa overstays at over 70%, and nearly 22% for vacationers.
- Eritrea: The U.S. questions Eritrea’s passport authority’s competence. It refuses to just accept deportees and has excessive overstay charges (20% vacationers, 55% college students).
- Haiti: Haiti has excessive overstay charges (31% vacationers, 25% college students) and an inflow of unlawful migrants, elevating considerations about crime and nationwide safety. It lacks a powerful regulation enforcement system.
- Iran: A identified state sponsor of terrorism, Iran fails to cooperate on safety and refuses to just accept deported nationals.
- Libya: Libya lacks a reliable passport authority and has a historical past of terrorist presence, elevating safety dangers.
- Somalia: Somalia lacks authorities management and passport programs, is a terrorist protected haven, refuses deportees, and faces ongoing terrorism threats.
- Sudan: Sudan lacks correct passport and vetting programs and has excessive visa overstay charges (26% vacationers, 28% college students).
- Yemen: Yemen lacks passport authority, authorities management, and is at the moment a U.S. army operation zone.
What you must know
This ban is a revival of Trump’s 2017 journey ban, which barred entry to residents from seven principally Muslim international locations and confronted a number of authorized challenges earlier than being upheld by the Supreme Courtroom in 2018.
The present ban expands the listing primarily based on up to date safety critiques and visa overstay knowledge.
