The African Union Commission has expressed its concerns regarding the recent travel restrictions imposed by the United States. On Wednesday, the White House announced a comprehensive travel ban affecting 12 countries, including seven from Africa.
Seven other nations are facing partial travel restrictions to the US, of which three are in Africa. President Trump claimed that the countries mentioned are “deficient with regards to screening and vetting” and take advantage of the US Visa system while refusing to allow their deported nationals to return.
“Many of these countries have also taken advantage of the United States in their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to accept back their removable nationals,” part of the White House order states.
The AU Commission expressed in a press release on Thursday that these travel restrictions may pose challenges to the diplomatic relationships the US maintains with the affected countries.
“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,” reads part of the statement.
The commission urges the US to approach decisions with balance and to ground them in concrete evidence, taking into account its relationship with Africa.
The US Department of Homeland Security reported that over 37,660 were deported to different countries during Trump's first month in office. However, the United Nations has stated that human rights violations occur during arrest, detention and the deportation process.
