The African Union Commission has urged the United States to adopt a more balanced and consultative approach following the recent expansion of its travel ban, which targets several African nations.
In a statement released Thursday, the Commission called on the U.S. administration to engage affected countries through constructive dialogue, rather than impose unilateral travel restrictions.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order blocking nearly all travel to the United States from 12 countries, including six in Africa: Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, and Somalia. Other nations affected by the full ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Sudan, and Yemen.
Additionally, the U.S. imposed partial restrictions on travelers from seven other countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—limiting their eligibility to specific visa categories, such as temporary work visas.
Defending the move in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), President Trump stated: “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted. We don’t want them.”
In its response, the African Union acknowledged “the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders and ensure the security of their citizens,” but stressed that such decisions should be “balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.”
“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,” the statement continued. “Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation.”
The AU Commission called on Washington to adopt a more “consultative approach” and to initiate “constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.” It further emphasized the importance of transparent communication and joint efforts to address any underlying issues that may have prompted the ban.
The Commission concluded by reaffirming its readiness to support efforts aimed at “promoting understanding, resolving concerns, and strengthening cooperation” between the African continent and the United States.
