Chad Suspends Visas for U.S. Citizens in Retaliation to Trump’s Travel Ban

President Mahamat Idriss Deby of Chad announced on Thursday that his government will suspend the issuance of visas to American citizens. This move comes in direct response to former President Donald Trump’s recent travel ban, which includes Chad among twelve countries restricted from entering the United States.

In a Facebook post, President Deby explained that the suspension of visas is a measure based on the principle of reciprocity. “I instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to citizens of the United States of America,” he said.

Deby also highlighted Chad’s position in the dispute, saying, “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride,” referring to a \$400 million airplane gift from Qatar to Trump, underscoring Chad’s stance despite limited resources.

The travel ban, signed by Trump on Wednesday, restricts entry to the United States from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. This action has sparked diplomatic tensions between Chad and the U.S., with Chad’s government responding firmly to the ban’s implications on its citizens and sovereignty.