Locked Out: African Nations Navigate Diplomatic Rift and Humanitarian Fallout Following United States Visa Ban

Sheffield, 21 June 2025

On 4 June, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation barring entry into the United States from twelve countries – seven of which are African: Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Effective from 9 June, the restrictions cover tourist and student visas as well as numerous green card renewals, with only narrow exemptions granted for dual nationals, immediate family members and elite athletes. The measure has prompted diplomatic retaliation, disrupted life-changing academic and medical journeys, and jeopardised critical security-co-operation just as several nations face severe humanitarian crises.

Donald Trump speaking at a Republican rally. Photo credit: Boston University

Diplomatic Retaliation in Chad

In a swift response to Washington’s move, President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced on 5 June the immediate suspension of visa issuance to citizens of the United States. Framing the decision as a matter of principle, he declared via social media:

“Chad may not have planes to offer or billions of dollars to give, but we have our dignity and pride.”

This response came just a day after the United States reinstated a travel ban affecting nationals of twelve countries – including Chad – thus underscoring the tit-for-tat nature of these measures.

Sudan’s Innovation Pipeline Under Threat

Since the collapse of the transitional government on 1 June 2025, Sudan has descended further into crisis. Armed clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (‘Hemedti’) have devastated infrastructure, claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. The ensuing breakdown in civil order has further fuelled a raging cholera epidemic amid war‑damaged hospitals, disrupted water and power supplies, and overcrowded displacement camps. Health authorities have documented more than 172 deaths in a single week in Khartoum, with over 7,700 cases recorded in the capital region. The World Health Organization has warned that cholera has now affected 13 states and claimed at least 1,854 lives, raising concerns over potential cross‑border transmission. Notably, prior to this crisis, on 22 May the United States imposed targeted sanctions on Khartoum over allegations of chlorine gas use – a move that disrupted humanitarian supply chains and restricted credit lines. Relief agencies now caution that a newly imposed US travel ban, which prevents US-based epidemiologists and food security specialists from entering Sudan, is compounding an already dire situation as the country grapples with escalating hunger, disease and infrastructural collapse.

Voices from Khartoum and Beijing

A first-hand account from Ali resonated deeply:

“I may not be the best example for the people of Sudan, but my personal aspirations have never been to migrate to the United States. Coming from an agricultural region, I am rooted in local realities, not global mobility. Moreover, I have spent most of my life in Sudan under international sanctions, and I have seen firsthand the socio-economic and political constraints imposed by such measures.”

Ali, a political science student at the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing. Photo provided to AVP.

The student, studying political science in China, acknowledged that Sudan is often labelled a ‘rogue state’ – a categorisation influenced by the narratives of Samuel Huntington’s ‘clash of civilisations’ – while also recognising the nation’s troubled past involving regimes that allegedly supported hostile groups and terrorism. He lamented the exclusion of Sudanese professionals, particularly in the medical field, who have invested considerable effort to secure opportunities in the United States. In their view, this exclusion represents a loss not only for Sudanese talent but also for the United States, which has long benefitted from the contributions of immigrants and foreign professionals in driving technological innovation, academic excellence and economic growth.

Equatorial Guinea Advises Caution

In Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue sought to downplay the effects of the new US travel ban. He noted that “fewer than 50 Equatoguineans travel to the United States each year”, while reaffirming that Washington remains the nation’s principal economic partner and investor. Nevertheless, he advised citizens to desist from travelling to the United States until the country reconsiders its policy. Meanwhile, the African Union has called on Washington to engage in dialogue, warning that the ban could erode people-to-­people ties, educational exchanges, commercial engagement and broader diplomatic relations. For students such as first-year medical candidate Deogracias Ndong, the ban is profoundly personal – labelled as both ‘discriminatory and racist’, it threatens to curtail the academic futures of Equatoguinean scholars while simultaneously diminishing research and educational collaborations that have historically benefitted both sides.

Humanitarian Alarm in Libya

With the US corridor effectively closed, numerous displaced Sudanese are now venturing along the perilous Mediterranean route via Libya. Aid agencies have reported a startling 134 per cent surge in Sudanese arrivals in Europe this year, with many escaping detention centres infamous for trafficking, torture and severe medical neglect.

Security Overhauls in Somalia

In a robust response to US vetting requirements, Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency issued a mandate on 31 March 2025 requiring all international carriers to submit both Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Records prior to landing in Somali airspace. Issued under the authority of the Immigration Act No 9 of 1966 and supported by UN Security Council Resolutions 2178 and 2396, the directive aims to enhance screening procedures and curb transnational criminal activities – particularly those linked to al‑Shabab. This initiative dovetails with a pioneering aviation data-sharing framework, launched in partnership with the United States and Interpol, which has been operational since early June. Through Interpol’s I‑24/7 platform, the system enables real­time exchange of passenger data and forms part of broader efforts to modernise aviation security as Somalia works towards reinstating civil air traffic.

Towards Continental Solutions

Diplomatic Advocacy
Envoys from Chad, Sudan and Sierra Leone have been engaging with European capitals as well as the UK Foreign Office to advocate for case­by­case visa reviews and transparent criteria for re­entry.

Photo credit: labeledmaps.com

African Union Visa­Waiver Initiative
In response to the mounting crisis, the African Union is fast­tracking a pan­African scheme aimed at reducing dependency on Western travel access while bolstering intra­continental mobility. “Security and exchange need not be mutually exclusive,” observed one diplomatic observer, emphasising that transparent vetting and targeted humanitarian carve­outs can safeguard borders without stifling the exchange of ideas and skills vital to global progress.

Expanding Travel Ban Considerations
On 15 June, the Trump administration announced that it was contemplating an expansion of the travel ban to include 25 additional African countries. Should this expansion proceed, nearly 40 African nations could face bans or other forms of travel restrictions imposed by the United States. A memorandum, reportedly circulated among American diplomats, lists 36 countries – including Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia and Egypt – which now have 60 days to meet specific benchmarks regarding security and the reliability of identity documents to avoid further restrictions. In addition to the comprehensive ban, heightened restrictions apply to citizens from Burundi, Sierra Leone and Togo who are outside the United States without a valid visa; these measures specifically target the tourist, student and work visa categories while still allowing entry under stringent vetting processes.

Implications for Students and Tourists
The travel ban and accompanying visa restrictions are expected to significantly reduce the number of African students applying to United States universities, as many may now seek more accessible educational alternatives in countries such as China, Canada the UK, and the EU. This decline could result in a loss of scholarship opportunities and erode the academic diversity that has long enriched US campuses. Moreover, established exchange programmes may well face disruptions, thus affecting collaborative projects and future career prospects. The ambiguity surrounding visa applications is already generating considerable anxiety among affected families. Similarly, the tourism sector may suffer if African visitors, deterred by the restrictions, opt for other destinations – a shift that could lead to economic losses and diminished cultural exchange, with broader implications for diplomatic relations.

Conclusion

The travel ban and its attendant visa restrictions not only curtail the aspirations of African students and tourists but also threaten vital cultural and economic exchanges that have long enriched both the United States and the African continent. In an increasingly interconnected world, open dialogue and mutual understanding are