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International Desk, June 6, 2025 : In a tit-for-tat move, the African nation of Chad has suspended visa issuance for US citizens, following the inclusion of Chad in a US travel ban targeting 12 countries. The announcement was made by Chadian President Idriss Deby in a Facebook post on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Deby stated that the decision was based on the principle of reciprocity, in response to the US including Chad in its list of restricted countries. "I have instructed the government to suspend visa issuance for US citizens in accordance with the principle of reciprocity," Deby said. He emphasized Chad’s dignity, adding, "Chad may not have planes to offer [Donald Trump] or billions of dollars, but it has its pride and honor." This was a pointed reference to a $400 million aircraft gifted to US President Donald Trump by Qatar.
The US travel ban, enacted through an executive order signed by President Trump on June 4, 2025, imposes restrictions on citizens from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, stricter regulations have been imposed on citizens from seven other nations, including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The White House confirmed the executive order in a statement, outlining the measures taken to enforce the travel restrictions. Chad’s visa suspension for US citizens marks a significant diplomatic countermeasure, highlighting tensions between the two nations.
AI/MR
